Higher risk for West Nile virus in Brentwood after more dead birds, mosquitoes test positive

From KRON4
August 29, 2020

BRENTWOOD, Calif. (BCN) – More birds and trapped mosquitoes testing positive for West Nile virus were found recently in Contra Costa County and vector control officials say there’s currently an elevated risk for the virus in the city of Brentwood.

Five of six dead birds testing positive were picked up in Brentwood, the Contra Costa Mosquito and Vector Control District said Friday. The remaining bird was found in Antioch.

In addition, six groups of mosquitoes testing positive were found in Palm Tract near Knightsen, Discovery Bay, and Brentwood.

Although the risk is higher for Brentwood, the virus isn’t restricted to that area, according to Steve Schutz, the district’s scientific program manager.

“Residents countywide should be taking precautions against mosquito bites,” said Schutz. “We appreciate members of the public reporting dead birds – this helps our agency identify where the virus hot spots may exist.”

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