LAKEPORT, Calif. – Three dead birds and one mosquito sample collected in Lake County tested positive for West Nile Virus this week, local officials reported Friday.
The three West Nile Virus-positive dead birds were American Crows found in Lower Lake, Clearlake Oaks and Lucerne, according to the Lake County Vector Control District.
The positive mosquito sample was collected south of Kelseyville, near Highway 175, the district said.
This year a total of 13 West Nile Virus-positive mosquito samples and five West Nile Virus-positive dead birds have been detected in Lake County, the district reported. No other West Nile Virus activity has been reported in Lake County in 2012.
“We have been fortunate in not having any reports of human West Nile Virus illness in Lake County this year, but we need to remain vigilant and continue to protect ourselves from mosquito bites,” said Lake County Health Officer Dr. Karen Tait.
“West Nile Virus season lasts well beyond Labor Day,” said Jamesina J. Scott, Ph.D., the district manager and research director of the Lake County Vector Control District. “We are still finding infected mosquitoes and dead birds, which means that that people could be exposed.”
Officials encourage residents to protect themselves from mosquito bites by avoiding being outside at dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active, and to wear long sleeves and use an insect repellant containing an EPA-registered active ingredient like DEET, Picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus or IR353.
Residents are advised to dump out buckets, wading pools and other sources of standing water where mosquitoes can develop in their yards.
The Lake County Vector Control District provides free mosquito-eating fish to Lake County residents for use in animal water troughs, ornamental ponds, and out-of-service (“green”) swimming pools.
The Vector Control District traps and tests mosquitoes throughout the county to identify the areas that have the highest risk, and targets those areas for source reduction and treatment using an integrated vector management program.
Residents are encouraged to call the district for mosquito problems, to get mosquito fish, or to report neglected (“green”) pools and other mosquito sources at 707-263-4770 or to fill out a service request online at www.lcvcd.org .
For more information about West Nile virus, visit http://www.westnile.ca.gov/ .