2 Dead Birds Discovered in Contra Costa Carrying the West Nile Virus

Two crows located in Contra Costa County tested positive for the West Nile virus Tuesday, according to the Contra Costa Mosquito and Vector Control District.

The crows were found in the towns of Pleasant Hill and Knightsen in Contra Costa County.

District officials are urging residents to wear mosquito repellent, especially at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most prevalent.

So far in 2012, two groups of mosquitoes and six dead birds have tested positive for the virus. Since 2005, 39 people in Contra Costa County have been diagnosed with virus and in 2006, two people in the county died from the disease, according to the District.

The District is also urging residents to check their properties for mosquito sources and report neglected standing water, especially neglected swimming pools, to the Contra Costa Mosquito and Vector Control District.

Swimming pools are especially hazardous, according to the District, because they can produce more than one million mosquitoes and affect people up to five miles away.

The District emphasized that there is an elevated risk of West Nile virus, which may be due to the hot weather, the presence of infected dead birds, as well as high populations of mosquitoes in the area.

Less than one percent of individuals infected with the virus will develop severe illness, but symptoms of the West Nile virus may include fever, headache, tiredness, body aches, stiffness, stupor, disorientation, muscle weakness or even coma, tremors, convulsions, vision loss, numbness and paralysis, according to the District.

Symptoms may last a couple weeks and could have permanent neurological impacts or may result in death.

The District urges resident to report neglected swimming pools by anonymously calling (925) 771-6195 or visiting ContraCostaMosquito.com.