West Nile Virus Strikes 4 More Sentinel Chickens

ST. PETERSBURG, FL – Pinellas County Mosquito Control today confirmed positive tests for West Nile virus in 4 more sentinel chickens in St. Petersburg on Thursday, Nov. 2.

The sentinel chickens were in the Cross Bayou and Sawgrass Lake areas of St. Petersburg. Cross Bayou is the waterway east of Seminole Lake Country Club and west of Park Street North. The Sawgrass Lake area borders Interstate 275 and Gandy Boulevard near Pinellas Park.

Technicians responded with treatment targeting adult mosquitoes and larvae by air and by ground in the area. This is in addition to the county’s ongoing treatment efforts.

Since Aug. 25, nine sentinel chickens have tested positive for West Nile virus, all of which have been in southern Seminole County. The last chicken to test positive was in the Cross Bayou area on Thursday, Oct. 26.

By using the chickens, Mosquito Control can be alerted to the presence of West Nile Virus, St. Louis encephalitis, Eastern Equine Encephalitis and Highlands J Virus. Mosquito Control placed sentinel chickens in eight locations around the county where they are tested weekly.

West Nile virus produces no symptoms in about 70 to 80 percent of people infected, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Some people, however, can develop such symptoms fever, rash, headache, body aches, joint pains, vomiting and diarrhea. In less than 1 percent of those infected severe symptoms may develop. The infection may lead to encephalitis or meningitis, which is an inflammation of the brain or surrounding tissue, the CDC says. Of those who develop severe complications about 10 percent die.

The CDC tracks the number of West Nile virus infections logged across the country in people, birds and mosquitos. As of Tuesday, Oct. 10, a total of 47 states and the District of Columbia have reported a total of 1,697 West Nile Virus infections in 2017. One human case has been reported in Florida.

To protection themselves from mosquitoes, Pinellas County urged residents and visitors by staying indoors during peak hours of mosquito activity at dawn and dusk. The county also recommends using approved mosquito repellants and ensure screens and seals are intact around windows and doors.

Residents also are used to stay on top of getting rid of standing water on their properties to prevent mosquitoes from breeding. Mosquitoes can breed in as little as one quarter inch of standing water.

For more information about stopping mosquitoes, visit www.pinellascounty.org/resident/mosquito_control.htm. Mosquito control request forms also are available on the web page.

Patch Editor Sherri Lonon contributed to this report

Image via U.S. Department of Agriculture, Flickr, used under Creative Commons