Five dead animals with West Nile Virus have been found in San Mateo County over a period of five days.
From Aug. 24 to 29, two animals in Redwood City and three in Atherton have been reported, according to the San Mateo County Mosquito and Vector Control District (SMCMVCD).
A fox squirrel and American crow were picked up in Atherton on Aug. 24 and 27, both testing as chronic-positive, which means a slightly less level of the virus was found in their system than an animal that tests fully positive.
On Aug. 28, a California towhee from Redwood City tested chronic-positive.
On Aug. 29, two cases were reported - an American crow tested chronic-positive in Atherton, and a common raven from Redwood City tested fully positive.
This brings the total number of cases found in San Mateo County to 15 in less than three months - the first reported local case was
Below is a list of the 15 cases reported in San Mateo County by the SMCMVCD to date:
- Red-shouldered hawk picked up June 11 in Woodside (WNV+)
- Eastern gray squirrel picked up July 3 in Menlo Park (WNV-chronic)
- Lesser goldfinch picked up July 22 in Redwood City (WNV-chronic)
- House sparrow picked up July 31 in Atherton (WNV-chronic)
- Canada Goose picked up July 31 in San Mateo (WNV-chronic)
- American crow picked up August 2 in Atherton (WNV-chronic)
- Eastern gray squirrel picked up August 2 in Menlo Park (WNV-chronic)
- Mourning dove picked up August 9 in Half Moon Bay (WNV+)
- Red-tailed hawk picked up August 10 in Half Moon Bay (WNV-chronic)
- American crow picked up August 22 in San Mateo (WNV-chronic)
- Fox Squirrel picked up August 24 in Atherton (WNV-chronic)
- American crow picked up August 27 in Atherton (WNV-chronic)
- California towhee picked up August 28 in Redwood City (WNV-chronic)
- Common raven picked up August 29 in Redwood City (WNV+)
- American crow picked up August 29 in Atherton (WNV-chronic)
The Center for Disease Control (CDC) is . Reported cases nationwide are up 40 percent recently. To date, 66 people in the U.S. have tested positive for West Nile Virus, leading to at least three deaths.
The San Mateo County Mosquito and Vector Control District encourages all residents to report any findings of dead animals immediately by calling 1-877-WNV-BIRD.
San Mateo County officials say "aggressive mosquito trapping" is conducted in any neighborhood where an animal has tested positive for the virus.
Strategies To Avoid Infection
According to public health officials, the best way to avoid becoming infected with the virus is to avoid mosquitos. The SMCMVCD .
