CONCORD, CALIFORNIA – The Contra Costa Mosquito and Vector Control District (District) confirms a California scrub jay from San Ramon is the first bird to test positive for West Nile virus (WNV) in Contra Costa County this year.
The bird was reported to the California WNV Call Center and subsequent testing confirmed the bird was infected with WNV. Infected birds are often the first sign of WNV in Contra Costa County. Alameda and Santa Clara Counties have also reported infected birds so far this year.
“We typically start seeing West Nile-positive birds and mosquitoes in Contra Costa County around this time of year”, said Steve Schutz, Ph.D., Scientific Program Manager. “Our neighboring counties have been reporting positive samples for several weeks now. As the weather warms up, the risk of human cases will continue to increase.”…