West Nile virus detected in Contra Costa County

West Nile virus was detected in Contra Costa County the Contra Costa Mosquito and Vector Control District revealed Monday The district stated a California scrub jay in San Ramon tested positive for the pathogen the first bird in the county to test positive for West Nile virus this year though both Alameda and Santa Clara counties have also announced infected birds in The district stated infected birds are often the first sign of West Nile virus in Contra Costa County We typically start seeing West Nile-positive birds and mosquitoes in Contra Costa County around this time of year revealed Steve Schutz the district s scientific project manager in a news release Our neighboring counties have been reporting positive samples for several weeks now As the weather warms up the threat of human cases will continue to increase According to the U S Centers for Condition Control and Prevention West Nile virus is the leading cause of mosquito-borne ailment in the United States Mosquitoes can spread the virus to humans after feeding on birds that carry the contagion There are no vaccines to prevent or medicines to treat West Nile in people the CDC announced but most of infected people do not feel sick and only about in people develop a fever and other characteristics including headache body aches vomiting diarrhea or rash According to the CDC only about out of infected people develop a serious sometimes fatal illness People older than age and those with weakened immune systems are more likely to get seriously sick the California Department of Citizens Wellness warns There have been three human cases of West Nile virus in California this year with one fatal situation the state populace wellness department stated There were human cases in of which were fatal The Contra Costa Mosquito and Vector Control District advised residents to dump out standing water where mosquitoes lay their eggs at least once a week to reduce the liability of mosquito bites and cut down on the overall mosquito population The district also recommended using an EPA-registered insect repellent to reduce the vulnerability of mosquito bites and to account dead birds at - -