SANTA CRUZ COUNTY (BCN) — A bird tested positive for West Nile virus in Santa Cruz County, marking the county’s first confirmed case this year, public health officials said Wednesday.
Technicians from the county’s Mosquito and Vector Control District have been sent to the area, where they’ll look for any infected mosquitoes and breeding sources, according to public health officials.
There have been no reported human cases of the virus statewide so far this year. A person can catch the virus from an infected mosquito, but not through contact with other people or animals, public health officials said.
The public is advised to drain any standing water where mosquitoes breed, to wear long sleeves and pants while outdoors and to avoid going outside during the dawn and dusk hours when mosquitoes are most active.
A vaccine is available for horses, who can fall ill and die if infected, while cats and dogs appear to be resistant to the virus, public health officials said.
Anyone who finds a dead bird or dead squirrel, which may indicate the virus is in the area, can make a report by calling (877) 968-2473 or visiting http://www.westnile.ca.gov.