A second bird of the 2012 season has tested positive for West Nile virus in the Sacramento region, and officials warn that warm weather will amplify the virus in the area.
The Sacramento-Yolo Mosquito Vector Control District received confirmation Wednesday that an American crow found in Sacramento's Tahoe Park area tested positive for the virus, according to a district news release.
Officials encourage residents to report all dead birds by calling the California Department of Public Health hotline at (877) 968-2473 or going to www.westnile.ca.gov. They noted that some species of birds, such as crows, jays and magpies, are very susceptible to the virus and are more likely to die from the infection.
Birds are hosts for West Nile virus, and mosquitoes transmit the virus by biting an infected bird, then biting a person or animal.
"Dead-bird reports provide important surveillance information to track WNV activity in our area and offer valuable information of where positive mosquito samples and human cases may develop later in the season," said David Brown, district manager, in a written statement.
In 2011, 158 human West Nile virus cases, resulting in nine deaths, were reported in California.
To report a neglected swimming pool or other mosquito breeding problems, call (800) 429-1022, or fill out a service request at www.fightthebite.net.
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