Pinellas Sentinel Chickens Test Positive for St. Louis Encephalitis

Pinellas County Mosquito Control officials announced today that four chickens have tested positive for St. Louis encephalitis.

The county keeps the birds as a part of an early-warning system, referred to as "sentinel chickens." The program runs at eight different locations across Pinellas County. The county tests the sentry birds weekly.

Technicians found symptoms on the birds August 30. Originally, the results were either of St. Louis encephalitis or the West Nile Virus. As of yesterday, West Nile Virus was ruled out.

St. Louis encephalitis can be transmitted to humans through mosquito bites. The virus causes fever, headache, nausea, vomiting and tiredness. In some extreme cases, more commonly with older adults, long-term disability or death can occur.

The four infected birds were at the locations in both Walsingham Park and the North Highway Maintenance Yard in Clearwater.

As posted on the Pinellas County website, "Recent rains have caused an increase in the mosquito population… Mosquito Control technicians are aggressively treating known breeding areas by ground and by air, as well as responding to requests from residents."

The county is scheduling additional fogging in those areas.

It is important to know the conditions for the best breeding grounds for mosquitoes. Mosquito breeding can be in as little as one-half inch of standing water.

Pinellas County wants the public to be aware of these circumstances:

• Empty water from old tires, flowerpots, garbage can lids, recycling containers, boat tarps and buckets. Eliminate standing water near plumbing drains, air conditioner drips, septic tanks or rain gutters.
• Flush birdbaths and wading pools weekly. Flush bromeliads twice weekly or treat with a biological larvicide.
• Change the water in outdoor pet dishes daily.
• Keep pools adequately chlorinated.
• Stock ornamental ponds with mosquito-eating gambusia fish.
• Cover rain barrels with fine mesh screening.
• Repair rips or tears in door and window screens.

The Florida Department of Health also recommends residents to take preventative measures. They urge people to follow the "three D's":

• Drain standing water around the home.
• Dress in light colors and wear loose fitting clothing that covers the arms and legs.
• Defend yourself by using mosquito repellent containing DEET, picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus on exposed skin, in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations.

Simple precautions can reduce the number of mosquitoes and mosquito-borne illnesses.

More information on controlling mosquitoes and a mosquito-control request form can be found at the Pinellas County Mosquito Control website. Residents can also call Pinellas County Mosquito Control at (727) 464-7503.