San Diego City Wire

A dead American Crow found in the Clairemont area of San Diego has tested positive for West Nile virus, prompting County environmental health officials to remind people to protect themselves from mosquitoes that can transmit the virus to humans.

County officials advised residents to follow the County’s “Prevent, Protect, Report” guidelines, which include finding and eliminating standing water around homes to prevent mosquito breeding.

The crow is the first dead bird to test positive for the virus in San Diego County this summer. No locally contracted human West Nile virus cases have been reported this year. However, West Nile virus remains a potentially deadly threat. In 2015, 44 San Diego County residents tested positive for West Nile virus and six county residents died.

West Nile virus is primarily a bird disease but can be transmitted to humans by several types of mosquitoes if they feed on an infected bird and then bite people. Symptoms of infection can include headache, fever, nausea, fatigue, skin rash, or swollen glands. In rare cases, it can cause severe illness or death.

Protecting against mosquitoes is always important in San Diego County. Officials recommend following the “Prevent, Protect, Report” guidelines:

- Remove any items inside or outside homes that can hold water such as plant saucers, rain barrels, buckets, garbage cans, toys, old tires and wheelbarrows.

- Use mosquito fish available for free from the Vector Control Program to control mosquito breeding in backyard water sources like stagnant swimming pools and ponds.

- Wear long sleeves and pants or use insect repellent containing DEET when outdoors.

- Ensure screens on windows and doors are secure to keep insects out.

Residents should report increased mosquito activity or stagnant water sources such as green swimming pools and dead birds — including crows, ravens jays hawks and owls — to the County Vector Control Program at (858) 694-2888 or via email at vector@sdcounty.ca.gov.

For more information on preventing mosquito-borne illnesses visit San Diego County’s “Fight the Bite” website.