A house finch found dead in northern Scotts Valley tested positive for the West Nile virus on July 7.
The finch was picked up by Santa Cruz County officials on June 30 for testing by the state. It is the first detected case of West Nile in the county this year.
“The bird may have flown over from Santa Clara County, but it is a house finch so its range isn’t much. (The virus) was probably acquired in the county,” said Paul Binding, manager of the Santa Cruz County Mosquito and Vector Control.
“It was expected because this is the beginning of the (mosquito) season,” Binding said.
Mosquitoes carry the virus that infected 445 people and killed 15 in California last year according to the state Department of Public Health. Not every mosquito carries the virus, and there have been no reported cases in humans this year.
Binding expects to discover more cases as the summer wears on. However, only 1-of-150 people who become infected requires medical attention.
Typically, a person might feel malaise for a day and then shrug off the virus, Binding said. In severe cases, a person can experience a fever that can last for weeks.
“Scotts Valley is certainly at no more risk than the rest of the county,” Binding said.
County and state officials are working to prevent the spread of the virus as warm summer weather has increased mosquito breeding in standing water statewide.
There are currently 31 counties in California with West Nile activity, Binding said.
The MVC encourages residents to empty containers of standing water, wear long sleeves, pants and repellants outside at dawn and dusk, obtain mosquito fish for ornamental ponds and to let the agency know about un-maintained swimming pools. Continuing problems with swarms of biting mosquitoes should be reported to the MVC at 454-2590.
Residents should also report dead birds and tree squirrels to the state Department of Public Health West Nile Virus hotline at 877-WNV-BIRD or www.westnile.ca.gov to help locate the virus’s activity.
Health officials were working to control mosquitoes in the south end of the county last week.
The MVC used a helicopter to drop mosquito control granules near Pinto Lake, Watsonville Slough, Hanson Slough and Struve Slough. Granules are a proven way to control mosquito larvae.
