A dead western scrub jay found in Oakley has tested positive for West Nile virus, the fourth positive case in the county this year, it was announced Tuesday. This highlights the importance of reporting dead birds and of protecting against mosquito bites, said officials from the Contra Costa Mosquito and Vector Control District.
“Right now, unmaintained swimming pools are a huge problem,” said Carlos Sanabria, operations manager for the district. “They can breed thousands upon thousands of mosquitoes in a neighborhood.”
Last year there were 11 human cases of the virus in Contra Costa County, plus 94 dead birds, 18 chickens, four mosquito samples, 10 horses and 25 squirrels tested positive for the virus. So far in 2006, there has been one human case, and 96 dead birds, seven chickens, 62 mosquito samples, and one horse that tested positive.
“We rely on the public to report dead birds to the state West Nile virus hotline because those reports help us respond to potential virus hot spots in the county and reduce possible human infection,” said Steve Schutz, scientific programs manager for the district. Report dead birds to (877) 968-2473.
Up to 20 percent of the population infected with the virus get the West Nile fever, which causes flu-like symptoms. Fewer than 1 percent of these individuals require hospitalization. For more information, call the county Health Services Department at (888) 959-9911 or visit www.cchealth.org.
-Dolores Fox Ciardelli
