Two dead birds infected with West Nile virus have been discovered in Santa Rosa. The birds were both American crows and lab tests showed they were recently infected with the virus, according to The Marin/Sonoma Mosquito and Vector Control District.
One bird was found in the vicinity of Occidental Road and Irwin Lane and the other in northwest Santa Rosa near Barnes Road and Dennis Lane.
The recent find brings the total of infected animals discovered in Sonoma County this year to 12 birds and one squirrel. Several mosquito samples from Rohnert Park were reported in early August. In September, Mendocino County reported its first case of the virus this year, in a dead bird.
No human cases of the mosquito-borne disease have been reported in the region.
“Continued high temperatures are an important factor in the proliferation of West Nile Virus in the area,” said Erik Hawk, assistant manager of the vector control district.
The presence of West Nile virus is high this year in many areas of California. Standing water coupled with high temperatures creates an ideal situation for rapid mosquito production and elevated levels of the virus within the mosquito, making transmission to humans, birds and animals more likely.
Traps are now being set in the vicinity of the dead birds. “All known mosquito breeding sources are being monitored, and technicians are combing the area in search of other sites that may be producing mosquitoes,” Hawk said.
Common mosquito production sites include ponds, bird baths, septic tanks and even rain-harvesting barrels that haven’t been screened correctly. Foreclosed homes with neglected swimming pools pose another risk, as they can produce large populations of mosquitoes. Residents are urged to report mosquito problems, neglected pools, or any area they suspect may be producing mosquitoes to 800.231.3236.
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