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A third dead bird has tested positive for West Nile virus in Menlo Park, though vector control officials say that this is “no cause for concern at this time.”
This is the fifth dead bird to test positive for West Nile virus in San Mateo County this year.
“As of June 21, we have had five dead birds test positive for West Nile virus in San Mateo County. Three of those birds had been reported in Menlo Park — one in April, one in May, and one in June,” said Rachel Curtis-Robles, the public health education and outreach officer at the vector control district, in an email to this news organization. “Our staff are keeping a close eye on West Nile virus throughout the county, and some extra effort is occurring in Menlo Park, given the positive dead bird findings. We continue to communicate with the city of Menlo Park and share relevant information with the public about West Nile virus and how to prevent and protect yourself from mosquitoes.”
In order to monitor the mosquitoes in Menlo Park, Curtis-Robles says that vector control staff are setting extra mosquito traps in the areas near where the birds have been found, both to check if mosquito populations are increasing and to test the trapped mosquitoes for West Nile virus.
“This is part of our usual surveillance efforts that we do throughout the county; given the recent West Nile virus-positive dead birds, we just want to keep an extra close eye on Menlo Park,” she said. “No cause for concern at this time.”
None of the mosquito samples have tested positive in San Mateo County so far.
In neighboring Santa Clara County, 12 birds have tested positive for West Nile virus so far this year, with six of those birds located in Palo Alto. Two mosquito samples have tested positive in Santa Clara County as well.
The vector control district also wants to remind residents to dump standing water to avoid creating new habitat for breeding mosquitoes, and to report dead birds and biting mosquitoes so that they can be tested for the virus.
“Of course, it is always good to remind everyone to … use an EPA-registered insect repellent if outdoors where mosquitoes are active,” said Curtis-Robles.
You can read more about West Nile virus in San Mateo County in the district’s press release from May.