West Nile virus...
Jun. 11th, 2005 12:58 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
senoritafishI'm kind of glad I called in about that crow now. I live about two miles as the crow flies (wince) from Bolsa Chica.
Crow deaths linked to disease
Mosquito control experts say the dead birds found near Bolsa Chica tested positive for West Nile virus.
REPORT DEAD BIRDS
Call (714) 971-2421, ext. 117
http://www.ocregister.com/ocr/2005/06/10/sections/local/local/article_554763.php
By PAT BRENNAN
The Orange County Register
Orange County mosquito control experts are reporting a cluster of dead crows that tested positive for West Nile virus near the Bolsa Chica wetlands, where heavy winter rains left plenty of standing water where virus-carrying mosquitoes can breed.
The Vector Control District is attacking mosquito larvae in the wetlands. Officials say nearby residents should be especially careful to avoid mosquito bites.
"It's because there's a marsh this year to support the mosquitoes," said Michael Hearst, spokesman for the agency that tracks animal- borne diseases that can harm people. "I would say we have the potential of a bigger threat."
Since the start of the year, 18 dead crows with the virus have been found between the wetlands and Central Park in Huntington Beach, which is a major roosting area for crows. They were found in Huntington Beach, Fountain Valley, Seal Beach and Westminster.
Ten were found in a five-day period at the end of May and beginning of June.
The cluster of dead birds near Bolsa Chica is more evidence of a strong virus presence. Scientists at the district also have noticed that the dead birds they see are more heavily infected.
Contact with dead birds will not transmit the virus to people - only mosquitoes can do that.
At Bolsa, Vector Control uses bacteria that attack mosquito larvae to fight the virus.
The agency's maps of dead- bird discoveries give a dramatic picture of the spread of the virus since last year: 27 found in Orange County in May of this year, vs. four at the same time last year.
Statewide, 28 people died of the disease last year, including four in Orange County. No human deaths have been reported this year, but the virus has been detected in 25 California counties.
Contact environment editor Pat Brennan at (714) 796-7865 or pbrennan@ocregister.com
Crow deaths linked to disease
Mosquito control experts say the dead birds found near Bolsa Chica tested positive for West Nile virus.
REPORT DEAD BIRDS
Call (714) 971-2421, ext. 117
http://www.ocregister.com/ocr/2005/06/10/sections/local/local/article_554763.php
By PAT BRENNAN
The Orange County Register
Orange County mosquito control experts are reporting a cluster of dead crows that tested positive for West Nile virus near the Bolsa Chica wetlands, where heavy winter rains left plenty of standing water where virus-carrying mosquitoes can breed.
The Vector Control District is attacking mosquito larvae in the wetlands. Officials say nearby residents should be especially careful to avoid mosquito bites.
"It's because there's a marsh this year to support the mosquitoes," said Michael Hearst, spokesman for the agency that tracks animal- borne diseases that can harm people. "I would say we have the potential of a bigger threat."
Since the start of the year, 18 dead crows with the virus have been found between the wetlands and Central Park in Huntington Beach, which is a major roosting area for crows. They were found in Huntington Beach, Fountain Valley, Seal Beach and Westminster.
Ten were found in a five-day period at the end of May and beginning of June.
The cluster of dead birds near Bolsa Chica is more evidence of a strong virus presence. Scientists at the district also have noticed that the dead birds they see are more heavily infected.
Contact with dead birds will not transmit the virus to people - only mosquitoes can do that.
At Bolsa, Vector Control uses bacteria that attack mosquito larvae to fight the virus.
The agency's maps of dead- bird discoveries give a dramatic picture of the spread of the virus since last year: 27 found in Orange County in May of this year, vs. four at the same time last year.
Statewide, 28 people died of the disease last year, including four in Orange County. No human deaths have been reported this year, but the virus has been detected in 25 California counties.
Contact environment editor Pat Brennan at (714) 796-7865 or pbrennan@ocregister.com
