More signs of West Nile virus have cropped up this summer in Contra Costa County, this time in Knightsen, officials said.
A group of mosquitoes collected from a trap in Knightsen, a community in eastern Contra Contra, are the first mosquitoes to test positive for the virus this year in the county, according to the county’s mosquito and vector control district said on Thursday.
Two weeks ago, a California scrub jay in San Ramon tested positive for the virus, the first bird to test positive in Contra Costa County so far this year.
Around the greater Bay Area, the counties of Alameda, Santa Clara, San Joaquin have also reported infected birds this year, according to the California Department of Public Health.
Statewide, there have been seven reported cases of the virus in humans this year, with one fatality in Tulare County. All of the human cases have been in Central and Southern California counties.
Last year, a man who lived in east Contra Costa County died from West Nile virus — the first reported county death from the disease since 2006. The death was reported to the county on July 16, 2024.
Residents should to take steps to protect themselves from West Nile virus and mosquito bites, said Steve Schutz, scientific program manager for the Contra Costa Mosquito and Vector Control District.
To reduce the risk of mosquito bites, the district recommends using EPA-registered insect repellents with one of the following active ingredients: DEET, Picaridin, the repellent version of Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus or the insect repellent IR3535.
Mosquitoes often get West Nile virus from birds, and reporting dead birds is one way of tracking where the virus could be spreading, public health officials said. Dead birds can be reported by calling (877) 968-2473 or online.
Anyone experiencing mosquito issues or who has questions can contact the District at (925) 685-9301 or online at www.contracostamosquito.com.
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