Health & Fitness
West Nile Virus Found In Dead Bird In Contra Costa County
West Nile Virus can be spread from birds to people through a mosquito bite.
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY — A dead bird in Brentwood has tested positive for West Nile virus, the first such case in Contra Costa County this year, the Contra Costa Mosquito and Vector Control District announced Friday.
The California scrub jay was found after two mosquito samples in Discovery Bay also tested positive for the virus, which can transmit from infected mosquitoes to birds, other animals and humans through a single bite, according to the district.
There have been 75 people diagnosed with the virus in Contra Costa County since 2005. In 2006, two people in the county died from the virus, which can cause symptoms such as a fever, headache, body aches, vomiting, diarrhea or rash.
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According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 8 of 10 people infected with the virus do not develop any symptoms.
The Contra Costa Mosquito and Vector Control District is encouraging people to dump out standing water and scrub the insides of containers to remove mosquito eggs. County residents can report dead birds at (877) WNV-BIRD or online at https://westnile.ca.gov/report.php.
Find out what's happening in Concordfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Residents can also request mosquito service for their residential properties by calling (925) 685=9301 or online.
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