More Dead Birds In CoCo County Test Positive For West Nile Virus

More dead birds found in Contra Costa County have tested positive for West Nile virus, which shows that the virus is present and being transmitted, according to the Contra Costa Mosquito and Vector Control District.

A total of nine birds collected in Walnut Creek, Pittsburg, Antioch, Concord, Pleasant Hill, Alamo and Knightsen have tested positive for the virus, according to Deborah Bass, spokeswoman for the district.

A mosquito sample collected in Oakley has also tested positive for the virus, Bass said.

While not all dead birds that are reported will be collected and tested, information from dead bird reports is entered into a database that helps the district identify clusters of dead birds.

Those clusters show areas where the virus is most active and help the mosquito district determine where to focus their efforts to control mosquito populations.

People can report dead birds by calling the state West Nile virus hotline at (877) 968-2473. Reports can also be made online at www.westnile.ca.gov.

While studies show that the majority of West Nile virus infections in humans go undiagnosed, 26 people in the county have been diagnosed with the illness since 2005, including two who died from it in 2006, Bass said.