West Nile Virus Found in Six Chickens + Dead Crow Near Redlands-Loma Linda

A state laboratory has confirmed six chickens and a dead crow near Redlands and Loma Linda have tested positive for West Nile Virus, the San Bernardino County Department of Public Health announced Friday afternoon.

The chickens that tested positive were from flocks in Colton, Rialto, and Upland, and the dead crow was collected in the city of San Bernardino, health officials said.

No human cases of West Nile Virus had been reported in San Bernardino County in 2012 as of Friday afternoon, according to the California Department of Public Health.

West Nile Virus, a potentially serious illness spread by infected mosquitoes, is a seasonal epidemic that flares up in the summer and continues into the fall, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

In southwest San Bernardino County, the chickens and the dead crow were the first bird cases to test positive for West Nile Virus in 2012 in the area served by the county Mosquito and Vector Control Program, health officials said.

Earlier this year, four samples of mosquitoes in Colton, Fontana, and San Bernardino tested positive for West Nile Virus, health officials said.

The California Department of Public Health is urging residents to participate in the West Nile Virus surveillance program by reporting dead birds or squirrels to the State West Nile Virus toll-free hotline at (877) WNV- BIRD, or online at www.westnile.ca.gov.

"Property owners with pools are encouraged to keep them clean," county health officials said. "Mosquitoes lay their eggs in unmaintained green pools and can fly up to 1.5 miles per hour, potentially transmitting the virus and impacting entire neighborhoods."

Green pools and other sources of mosquito breeding can be reported to the county Mosquito and Vector Control Program at (800) 442-2283.

San Bernardino County health officials offered residents tips protect themselves and their families from West Nile Virus:

• Drain or Dump - Remove all standing water around property where mosquitos lay eggs such as birdbaths, green swimming pools, ponds, old tires, buckets, clogged gutters, or even puddles from leaky sprinklers.

• Dawn and Dusk - Avoid spending time outside when mosquitos are most active.

• Dress - Wear shoes, socks, and long pants and long-sleeved shirts that are loose fitting and light colored.

• DEET - Apply insect repellent containing DEET according to manufacturer's directions.

• Doors - Make sure doors and windows have tight-fitting screens. Repair or replace screens that have tears or holes to prevent mosquitos from entering your home.

Horses are also susceptible to West Nile Virus, health officials said. A vaccine is available, and horses owners are advised to contact their veterinarians.

Further north in Kern County, an 88-year-old woman was the state's first reported West Nile Virus fatality this year, Dr. Ron Chapman, director of the California Department of Public Health, announced Friday.

"This unfortunate death reminds us that we must protect ourselves from mosquito bites to prevent West Nile virus and other mosquito born infections," Chapman said in a news release.

West Nile Virus activity increased earlier this year compared to last year, Chapman said.

"To date in 2012, ten human cases of WNV from five California counties have been reported," state health officials said. "Last year at this time there were seven human cases and no deaths.

"During all of 2011, 159 human cases and nine fatalities were reported" in California, state health officials said.

Increased West Nile Virus activity is also occurring in other parts of the United States. Nationwide, 241 human cases were reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as of Aug. 1, 2012.

"This is the highest number of cases reported through the end of July since 2004," California Department of Public Health officials said.

For more information about West Nile Virus near Redlands and Loma Linda, contact the County of San Bernardino Department of Public Health, Division of Environmental Health Services at (800) 442-2283 or visit www.sbcounty.gov/dehs.