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Pinellas Sentinel Chickens Test Positive for West Nile Virus

Mosquito | Health | Disease

Pinellas officials say that, although no human cases of West Nile Virus have been reported in the county in 2019, the increase in activity warrants a heightened concern.

PINELLAS COUNTY – Pinellas County Mosquito Control is responding to an increase in mosquito-borne disease activity in areas of the county and is urging citizens to take basic cautions to limit exposure.

A small number of the county’s sentinel chickens have tested positive for West Nile Virus. Although no human cases of West Nile Virus have been reported in the county in 2019, the increase in activity warrants a heightened concern. Residents are advised to stay indoors during the peak hours of mosquito activity at dawn and dusk when possible, use approved mosquito repellents and ensure screens and seals are intact around windows and doors.

Sentinel chickens serve as an early-warning detection system for some mosquito-borne diseases. This system alerts mosquito control to the presence of diseases such as West Nile Virus, St. Louis Encephalitis, Eastern Equine Encephalitis, and Highlands J Virus. There are eight locations in the county where chickens are kept and tested regularly.

Mosquito control technicians are targeting adult mosquitoes and larvae by treating with fogging trucks, aerial larvicide and ground larvicide, in addition to their ongoing treatment efforts. They are also continuing to monitor the sentinel chickens and mosquito populations for mosquito-borne diseases.

Residents are also urged to drain all standing water to stop mosquitoes from multiplying. This includes water in garbage cans, house gutters, buckets, pool covers, coolers, toys, flower pots and any other containers where sprinkler or rain water has collected. Birdbaths and pet water bowls should be emptied and cleaned once or twice a week, and junk items in kept in yards should be discarded.

Go to pinellascounty.org to find a mosquito control request form and additional information about stopping mosquitoes. Residents can also contact Pinellas County Mosquito Control at (727) 464-7503.

Pinellas County | Sentinel Chickens | West Nile Virus | Mosquitoes | Health | Tampabay News | News Tampa

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