Chicken In Moorpark Tests Positive For West Nile Virus

Press release from the City of Moorpark:

November 30, 2020

On November 25, 2020, the City of Moorpark Vector Control Division received confirmation from the State Department of Public Health that one sentinel chicken within the City of Moorpark has tested positive for West Nile Virus (WNV). The City of Moorpark maintains a flock of sentinel chickens near the Arroyo Simi and tests them every two weeks for WNV from April to November each year. This is the first detection of WNV within the City Moorpark and Ventura County this year. The City of Moorpark also had a chicken test positive from the same flock in October 2019.

The Moorpark Vector Control staff routinely monitors and controls mosquito breeding sources throughout the City of Moorpark. In response to the positive bird finding, all mosquito breeding sources near where the sample was collected will be inspected and treated, if necessary. The end of Fall and cooler weather usually results in decreased mosquitoes and mosquito disease related activity.

West Nile Virus is transmitted to humans from the bite of a mosquito infected with this virus. Mosquitoes acquire WNV when feeding on infected wild birds. Fortunately, in humans, WNV usually causes no symptoms or a mild illness. Rarely, WNV can cause severe illness and death.

1. The public is advised to take the following precautions to minimize exposure to West Nile Virus:
2. Eliminate standing water from their property to reduce mosquito breeding, including standing water in any containers such as buckets, barrels, old tires, boats, ornamental ponds, and neglected swimming pools.
3. Make sure exterior doors and windows have tight-fitting screens. Screens should be replaced if they are torn or have holes.
4. Limit outdoor activity when mosquitoes are most active, especially at dawn and dusk.
5. When outdoors, wear long pants and long-sleeved shirts.
6. Apply insect repellents containing DEET, picaradin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus, according to label instructions.
7. Contact your local Vector Control agency if you see potential sources of standing water near where you live or notice mosquitoes in or around your home.

The West Nile Virus also affects horses. For information about the West Nile Virus infection in horses and preventative measures, horse owners should contact their veterinarian. Water troughs, barrels, and other similar water containers for horses provide excellent mosquito breeding sources. If possible, water in these containers should be drained and replaced on a weekly basis. If water cannot be drained, mosquito fish can be used to control mosquito breeding.

To report potential mosquito-breeding sources within the City of Moorpark created from improperly maintained swimming pools and other similar water impoundments located on private property, the Moorpark residents should call (805) 517-6267; residents outside the City of Moorpark but within Ventura County should call (805) 658-4310.

Mosquito-eating fish are available from the City of Moorpark at no charge to residents for use in ornamental ponds and similar water features. To order fish, the public should call (805) 517-6267 within the City of Moorpark, or (805) 662-6582 for areas outside the City of Moorpark but within Ventura County.

This press release was produced by the City of Moorpark. The views expressed here are the author’s own.