Jun 9, 2008 1:15 pm US/Pacific
East CoCo County Mosquitoes Found With West Nile
CONCORD (BCN) ―
A group of mosquitoes collected in east Contra Costa County has tested positive for West Nile virus, the county's Mosquito and Vector Control District announced Monday.
The mosquito sample, which was collected in the unincorporated Holland Tract area June 2, is the county's first mosquito sample to test positive for the virus this year, according to mosquito district spokeswoman Deborah Bass.
The district reported last week that a dead bird found in Alamo on June 3 had also tested positive for the mosquito-born illness, signaling the start of the virus' season in the county.
Since the virus was first detected in the county in 2004, 22 people have been diagnosed with the disease and two have died from it, according to Bass.
While most people who are bitten by a mosquito carrying the virus will not get sick, the mosquito district is warning people to take some basic precautions to prevent mosquito bites and the potential for a serious illness.
People should drain backyard sources of standing water, make sure they have screens on their doors and windows and wear bug repellent, particularly at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active.
Horses, which are highly susceptible to the virus, should be vaccinated.
According to Bass, about half the horses infected with West Nile virus die from it or have to be put down.
People are also encouraged to report dead birds to the Contra Costa County Mosquito and Vector Control District by calling (877) WNV-BIRD.
The district tracks dead bird reports and uses the data when making decisions about where to spray to reduce mosquito populations.
(© CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Bay City News contributed to this report.)
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