By admin 
A dead bird collected in East Sacramento has tested positive for West Nile virus, signaling that mosquito season is in full swing ahead of the Memorial Day holiday weekend.
Read more Sacramento-area Memorial Day weekend forecast brings cooler air, some wildfire risk
The dead American crow was collected near Folsom Boulevard and is the first bird sample in Sacramento and Yolo counties to test positive during mosquito season, according to the Sacramento-Yolo Mosquito and Vector Control District. Mosquito season typically runs from May through October.
Earlier this week, the district announced that a mosquito sample collected from an area south of Tahoe Park was the first sample to test positive for the disease in Sacramento County this season.
“Finding the first positive bird of the season is significant because it serves as an early warning sign that West Nile virus is active in our region,” Gary Goodman, the Sacramento-Yolo Mosquito and Vector Control District Manager, said in a Friday statement. “It confirms that the virus is present and helps us identify areas where we may later detect infected mosquitoes or even human cases.”
The late spring rain and a stretch of hot temperatures created favorable conditions for mosquito breeding, and a could signal a “busy” mosquito and West Nile virus season ahead, Luz Maria Robles, a spokesperson for the district, added.
West Nile Virus was first detected in California in 2003 and is now considered endemic in the Sacramento and Yolo counties. It is the most common mosquito-borne disease in the United States. There were 124 confirmed human cases of the disease, including 11 fatalities, in California last year, according to the district.
Goodman urged residents to wear effective insect repellent ahead of the Memorial Day holiday weekend. The district further encouraged the public to report dead birds — particularly crows, jays, and magpies which are especially susceptible to the West Nile virus — to the California Department of Public Health to aid with mosquito surveillance and control efforts.
Read more Capital City Freeway to close one direction in Sacramento for 28 hours. Here’s when, why
Following the positive bird sample, the Sacramento-Yolo Mosquito and Vector Control District will increase mosquito trapping and surveillance of potential mosquito breeding sites.
No mosquito or dead bird samples have tested positive in the surrounding counties, according to vector control officials elsewhere in the capital region.
The Alameda, Santa Clara, Fresno, San Diego, and Los Angeles counties have reported dead bird samples that have tested positive for West Nile virus.
How can I prevent mosquito bites?
The district advises people to wear long sleeves and pants when outdoors to avoid bug bites. Officials also recommend using a mosquito repellent that has DEET, Picaridin or lemon eucalyptus oil in it.
The district also has a list of best practices for preventing mosquitos:
- Drain standing water that may produce mosquitoes.
- Dawn and dusk are times to avoid being outdoors.
- Dress appropriately by wearing long sleeves and pants when outside.
- Defend yourself by using an effective insect repellent. Make sure to follow label directions!
- Door and window screens should be in good working condition.
District personnel are also available to address any mosquito problems. Call 800-429-1022 or visit FightTheBite.net.
You can also call the district if you’d like a home inspection, to report breeding grounds or if the bugs are bothering you.
Read more Trump deals major blow to legal migration, forcing most green-card seekers to leave U.S.