Dead Bird With West Nile Found In San Ramon: Mosquito District

SAN RAMON, CA — A dead crow from San Ramon tested positive for West Nile Virus, according to the Contra Costa Mosquito and Vector Control District. The district also said that a group of mosquitoes in the county, and three sentinel chickens in the county tested positive for antibodies.

In 2024, there have been two groups of mosquitos and four dead birds that tested positive for West Nile Virus, and five sentinel chickens tested positive for antibodies in Contra Costa County.

The virus can lead to symptoms like fever, headaches, and even comas and paralysis. As of 2023, at least 2958 people have died from West Nile Virus.

"Mosquitoes known to transmit West Nile virus sometimes lay eggs in backyard water sources, and the adults that emerge from those sources can affect an area of up to 15 miles, so, it is very important for Contra Costa County residents to dump out any containers holding standing water on their property, use an insect repellent if they are outdoors in the evening or early morning, and report mosquito issues to the District, because it only takes one bite from an infected mosquito to transmit West Nile virus to a person," District Scientific Program Director Steve Schutz said in a statement.

The district recommends using EPA-registered insect repellent with at least one of the following active ingredients:

• DEET
• Picaridin
• The repellent version of Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus
• IR3535

The district also recommends that residents check their front and backyards at least once a week to dump out any amount of standing water, and check to see that their window screens fit properly.

Residents can report dead birds by phone at (877) WNV-BIRD (968-2473) or online. County residents can also request mosquito service for residential property by calling (925) 685-9301 or online.