West Nile virus has been found for the first time this year in sentinel chicken flocks near Knightsen and in Oakley, the Contra Costa Mosquito and Vector Control District said.
The chickens that tested positive for virus antibodies joined 11 dead birds and eight groups of trapped mosquitoes that have tested positive for West Nile virus so far in 2023.
The most recent dead bird was collected from Antioch, while the mosquitoes were trapped in Discovery Bay, the district said in a statement.
“The risk of exposure to West Nile virus will continue until the overnight low temperatures start dropping below 55 degrees,” said Steve Schutz, the district’s scientific program manager.
The virus can be passed to birds, other animals and people through a single mosquito bite.
Since 2005, 75 people in Contra Costa County have contracted West Nile virus and in 2006, two people died from the disease, according to district officials.
When will the vaccine be ready?
It’s time to buy my sarcophagus.
I see what ya did there.
.
Already got a set of canopic jars, eh?
We’re all gonna DIE!
Eventually…..
I doubt if I’ll make it another 20 or 30 years myself.