On July 16, 2013, the Ventura County Environmental Health Division (EHD) received confirmation from the California Department of Public Health that one wild bird collected by the EHD on July 8, 2013, tested positive for an acute infection of West Nile Virus (WNV). The bird was collected from the City of Simi Valley. This is the second bird to test “acute” positive for the WNV in Ventura County this year. Two additional birds have tested “chronic” positive for the WNV in Ventura County this year. An “acute” positive indicates that the bird was recently infected. Since WNV is established in Ventura County, we expect that additional WNV positive birds will be collected.

EHD vector control technicians routinely monitor and control mosquito breeding sources throughout Ventura County. The EHD will inspect all mosquito breeding sources near where the wild bird was collected, and treat for mosquito breeding if necessary.

The public is advised to take the following precautions to minimize exposure to WNV:

1. Eliminate standing water from their property to reduce mosquito breeding, including water in buckets, barrels, old tires, children’s toys, ornamental ponds, and neglected swimming pools.

2. Make sure exterior doors and windows have tight-fitting screens. Screens should be replaced if they are torn or have holes.

3. Limit outdoor activity when mosquitoes are most active, especially at dawn and dusk.

4. When outdoors, wear long pants and long-sleeved shirts.

5. Apply insect repellent containing DEET, picaradin or oil of lemon eucalyptus, according to label instructions.

The WNV also affects horses. For information about the WNV infection in horses and preventative measures, horse owners should contact their veterinarian.

The WNV finding is a result of on-going countywide surveillance efforts by the EHD. In addition to these efforts, vector control technicians routinely monitor over 2,000 potential mosquito-breeding sources in or near urban areas and implement control measures when evidence of mosquito breeding is observed. Mosquito-eating fish are available from the EHD at no charge to residents for use in ornamental ponds and similar water features. To order fish, the public should call 805/662-6582.

To report potential mosquito-breeding sources in Ventura County created from improperly maintained swimming pools and other similar water impoundments located on private property, the public is encouraged to call the mosquito complaint HOTLINE at 805/658-4310.

To assist in WNV surveillance efforts, the public is encouraged to report any crows, ravens, and birds of prey that have died recently to the California Department of Public Health at 877/WNV-Bird (877/968-2473).

To obtain information about mosquito control and surveillance efforts in Ventura County please visit the EHD's website:

http://www.ventura.org/rma/envhealth/technical-services/vector/index.htm...