West Nile Virus Detected in Ventura County Mosquito Sample For The First Time This Year

VENTURA COUNTY, Calif. (KEYT) – Mosquitos collected in Fillmore last month tested positive for West Nile Virus the Ventura County Environmental Health Division shared Wednesday.

Notably, no human cases have been identified in Ventura County this year shared the countywide health agency.

Information about the recent positive test was also put out by the county health agency in Español.

West Nile Virus is already established in Ventura County and more positive identifications in mosquitos are expected, but this is the first sample collected this year to test positive added the Ventura County Environmental Health Division.

The California Department of Public Health tests samples collected from around the state and details on their results as of early July are shown in the map below and here.

West Nile Virus is mosquito-borne and can cause illness in humans, birds, and horses and the best way for humans to avoid getting the virus is to protect yourself from mosquito bites explained the California Department of Public Health.

According to the state's public health department, mosquitos often get West Nile Virus from birds, as depicted in the image below, and a key tool to track the spread of the virus is through reporting of dead birds.

If you have a dead bird to report, visit here or call 805-968-2473.

The Ventura County Environmental Health Division is the primary organization tasked with monitoring and controlling mosquito breeding sources and they offer the following tips for the public to help them curb the spread of West Nile Virus:

• Get rid of all standing water sources at your property
• Make sure doors and windows have tight-fitting screens without holes
• If you are outdoors, especially at dawn and dusk when mosquitos are most active, wear long pants and long-sleeved shirts
• Use EPA-approved insect repellants containing Picaridin, DEET, Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus or IR3535

To report mosquitoes or breeding locations in Ventura County, you can call the mosquito hotline at 805-658-4310 and for more information about the local response to West Nile Virus, visit here.

You can also request mosquito-eating fish by calling 805-662-6582.