Pen 360 Press.
My coles, September 30. For the first time in , the San Mateo County Mosquito and Vector Control District has detected West Nile virus in a dead bird for the first time this year.
A bird — specifically an American crow — was analyzed south of San Francisco earlier this week, the district's control agency announced Wednesday.
This the first case of the virus found in San Mateo County since 2018. And while reports of dead birds indicate the presence of the virus, the risk to humans remains low.
West Nile virus primarily affects birds, but it is noted that humans, horses and other animals can also transmit the virus through the bite of an infected mosquito, which is the route of transmission of the virus. It is important to note that West Nile virus cannot be transmitted from person to person.
The county vector control district urged people to report newly dead birds to the California West Nile Virus Hotline at www.westnile.ca.gov or by calling (877) WNV-BIRD.
The population can reduce the risk of infection by preventing mosquitoes from hatching and, therefore, biting.
Because mosquitoes hatch in puddles of water, the district recommends draining and eliminating outdoor water sources on your property - including flower pots, old car tires, clogged gutters and pet water bowls.
Residents should wear clothing that protects them from bites, or use mosquito repellent if they stay outside at night and in the hours before dawn, since these are the points in the day where mosquitoes that transmit the virus tend to bite.
Doors and windows should have mosquito nets to keep them out. Mosquito repellent containing ingredients such as DEET, IR3535, Icaridin and lemon eucalyptus oil can serve as repellents.
The district will do its part by detecting mosquito breeding hotspots and collecting samples for testing in areas where the number of dead birds is high.
For assistance, individuals may contact the district at (650) 344-8592 or www.smcmvcd.org for more information.
West Nile virus has also been identified in Contra Costa and Santa Clara counties east of Washington.
[With information from BNC]
