Season's 1st West Nile Virus Case: Bird In Santa Cruz County

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, CA – This summer's first find of West Nile virus in Santa Cruz County was confirmed today by health officials after a dead bird discovered locally tested positive for the illness.

The bird, an American crow with an acute infection, was obtained from a Live Oak resident and submitted June 13 for testing to the California Department of Public Health, according to the Santa Cruz County Health Services Agency.

The bird was found near 30th Avenue between Moran Lake and Pleasure Point, the agency said, adding that it appreciates such resident participation in the detection of West Nile.

The West Nile virus is primarily a bird virus, but it can affect humans and animals and is spread by mosquito bites. In humans, infection symptoms range from no symptoms to a fever and flu-like illness to serious illness affecting the central nervous system, but that is in less than 1 percent of cases, officials said.

Last year, California had 536 reported human cases and 41 deaths attributed to West Nile virus. So far this year, compared to 2017, the virus activity looks to be less in most areas of the state in birds and mosquitoes, with four human cases reported so far. No locally acquired human cases have been found in Santa Cruz County this season or in years past, health officials said.

The bird find was expected, however, as there was recently reported West Nile virus activity in nearby counties, the department said, noting that the timing is "a bit earlier" in Santa Cruz County compared to previous years.

Santa Cruz County health officials give totals in years past as:

• 2017 – 1 bird and 0 mosquitoes tested positive
• 2016 – 2 birds and 3 mosquitoes tested positive
• 2015 – 1 horse positive
• 2014 – 1 bird positive
• 2013 – 3 birds and 1 mosquito tested positive
• 2012 – 17 birds
• 2011 – 1 bird
• 2010 – 6 birds
• 2009 – 1 bird
• 2008 – 3 birds
• 2007 - 6 birds
• 2006 - 7 birds
• 2005 – 2 birds
• 2004 - 36 birds.

In response to the summer season and the infected bird, County Health Services staff will conduct surveillance for mosquito-breeding sources in the Live Oak area where the crow was found. Residents also are advised to protect themselves from mosquito bites, to drain standing water from around homes and to report standing water or green swimming pools in their neighborhoods. Horses, in particular, are susceptible to West Nile virus and should be vaccinated, the agency said.

The area health agency also will continue to submit any dead-bird finds and trapped mosquitoes for virus testing, monitor two sentinel chicken flocks from which blood samples are taken, and will increase vigilance in controlling the larval stages of the mosquitoes.

Residents are encouraged to report dead birds to the state hotline at 1-877-WNV-BIRD or online http://www.westnile.ca.gov/ . Mosquito and Vector Control also will provide free mosquito-eating fish for yard water features or non-maintained pools.

For more information on West Nile virus, see. http://www.westnile.ca.gov/ .

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