Two dead birds found in South Bay test positive for West Nile Virus
SAN JOSE, Calif. (KTVU) - State health officials said this weekend that mosquitos infected with the West Nile Virus have passed that virus to four people. Three of the cases are in Southern California, while one is in Kern County. The prospect of human West Nile infections is causing concerns because officials say the virus’s activity is increasing.
In the Bay Area, two dead birds tested positive. Santa Clara County Vector Control officials say the birds were found last week, but confirmation that they are infected with West Nile didn’t come until this week. Meanwhile, a third fowl has been found dead, raising concerns it could be a third infection.
Saturday night finds Santa Clara vector control doctor Nayer Zahiri working extra hours, examining the remains of a dead owl. The fowl was found days ago, and could be another sign the West Nile virus is on the rise, following the discovery of two infected mosquitos.
“We find it on Tuesday and we sent it to the state to be confirmed. And Thursday the state confirmed it to be positive for West Nile virus in adult mosquitos,” said Zahiri.
The positive test breaks with last year’s improbable trend of no signs of West Nile. As recently as 2014, there had been as many as 18 mosquitos carrying that virus in the county. Officials say the two insects that tested positive were found in Sunnyvale and a small portion of the City of Santa Clara. Residents living in zip codes 94085, 95086, 94087, and 95051 are impacted. Sunnyvale resident Paula Porter, out walking her dog “Sheriff” Saturday night, said the discovery of infected insects is concerning since the virus can be spread to birds and people.
“I’m very scared. Because we just moved here in here about a year ago and I see the birds all the time in my yard,” said Porter.
Health officials say West Nile is not a threat for the vast majority of people. But for some, it can cause flu-like symptoms. And in rare cases, encephalitis or meningitis, which can be fatal.
Officials advise residents drain areas of standing water. Use mosquito repellant, and wear long-sleeve clothing during peak times for mosquito bites, in the early morning and in the evening.
“Well I’ve always thought about it because I know that those are mosquitos in general are dangerous, and not good for you. So yeah, I do think about it, mostly for my kids,” said Sunnyvale resident Stacy Gonzalez, who is eight months pregnant with her second child.
Additionally, vector control trucks will be out spraying in the impacted zip codes from 11pm Tuesday until 2am Wednesday. Residents are advised to close windows to prevent any residue from getting inside your homes. Officials stress the chemical treatments are not harmful to people or pets. For more information, call vector control toll-free at (800)314-2427.