LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lake County Vector Control District confirmed Friday that four mosquito samples and a dead bird tested positive for West Nile virus this week in Lake County.
The positive mosquitoes were collected from Kelseyville, Upper Lake and Anderson Marsh, according to Jamesina Scott, Ph.D., Lake County Vector Control District manager and research director.
Scott said the dead bird, a great blue heron, was collected from Upper Lake. Two weeks ago, a domestic turkey from north Lakeport tested positive for West Nile virus.
No human cases of West Nile virus have been reported in Lake County this year, Scott said.
“West Nile virus is established throughout California and we expect to find it in dead birds and mosquitoes at this time of the year,” said Scott. “We all need to take precautions to avoid mosquito bites and the diseases they transmit. Take a walk around your yard today and dump out containers of water like buckets, wading pools, fountains, and toys.”
She said residents can help protect themselves and their community by reporting dead birds to help the district identify where West Nile virus activity is taking place. All dead bird reports from the public are critical in helping the district direct mosquito operations.
Members of the public can report dead birds to the state’s toll-free hotline at 1-877-968-2473 (1-877-WNV-BIRD) or by visiting the California Department of Public Health's Web West Nile virus Web site, http://westnile.ca.gov/ .
Residents are urged to help reduce their risk of contracting mosquito-borne diseases by following these guidelines:
• Dump or drain standing water. Mosquitoes grow in standing water.
• Defend yourself with mosquito repellents containing Picaridin, DEET, IR3535, Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus, or PMD. Need help finding a repellent to meet your needs? The Environmental Protection Agency has a search tool to help you choose the repellent that is right for you at https://www.epa.gov/insect-repellents/find-insect-repellent-right-you#search tool.
• Avoid being outdoors when mosquitoes are biting, typically dawn and dusk.
• Maintain swimming pools. Just one neglected swimming pool can produce more than one million mosquitoes and affect people up to five miles away.
• Report dead birds to the state hotline: 1-877-968-2473 or online at http://www.westnile.ca.gov/report_wnv.php . All reports are crucial.
Residents with questions about West Nile virus or who would like help with a mosquito problem can contact the Lake County Vector Control District at 707-263-4770, Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., or visit the district Web site at www.lcvcd.org .
West Nile virus detected in Lake County mosquitoes, dead bird
- Lake County News reports
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