The San Diego County Vector Control Office is reporting recent sightings of a new health threat in San Diego County, the Asian Tiger Mosquito. For more information, see: http://www.countynewscenter.com/news/new-invader-asian-tiger-mosquito-found-county .
Although this insect is apparently not very widespread yet, it seems to be a nasty bug that prefers an urban environment, bites indoors during the day and carries yellow fever, chikungunya (I hope I never find out what that one is) and dengue fever. Cindy's nephew Jake had a nasty bout of dengue fever in Mexico several years ago; although none of these diseases are usually present in San Diego County, they're nothing to take any chances with.
Vector Control is urging people to take the same precautions they should already be taking to prevent the spread of the West Nile virus: prevent mosquito breeding by dumping out standing water; protect yourself with appropriate clothing and insect repellant, and report green swimming pools and mosquitos biting indoors during daylight hours to Vector Control. And, of course, West Nile itself has not gone away; two new cases were recently reported in San Diego County. http://www.countynewscenter.com/news/west-nile-virus-update-state-confirms-new-cases#.VgxkF0IIjXs.email.
Vector Control also provides free mosquito fish to help control mosquito breeding in ponds and fountains. FREE!
Showing posts with label West Nile Virus. Show all posts
Showing posts with label West Nile Virus. Show all posts
Sunday, October 4, 2015
Friday, August 28, 2015
More Dead Birds
Last year at about this time, we found several dead birds in our yard. (See: For The Birds). Because we're concerned about the West Nile Virus, I posted the contact information for the San Diego County Vector Control Office.
Within the last few days we've found two dead sparrows and a dead House Finch, so it's time to post the reminder again. Sparrows and House Finches are too small for Vector Control to deal with, but they will collect larger dead birds such as Crows, Ravens, Jays, Hawks, Owls and Falcons.
If you find one of these larger birds dead in San Diego County, the phone number to report it is (858) 694-2888 or report it on line at vector@sdcounty.ca.gov.
We hate to lose our birds, and we really don't want the West Nile virus to become any more prevalent in the county than it already is.
Within the last few days we've found two dead sparrows and a dead House Finch, so it's time to post the reminder again. Sparrows and House Finches are too small for Vector Control to deal with, but they will collect larger dead birds such as Crows, Ravens, Jays, Hawks, Owls and Falcons.
If you find one of these larger birds dead in San Diego County, the phone number to report it is (858) 694-2888 or report it on line at vector@sdcounty.ca.gov.
We hate to lose our birds, and we really don't want the West Nile virus to become any more prevalent in the county than it already is.
Thursday, September 4, 2014
For The Birds
We've been finding quite a few dead birds in our yard lately. We've found four or five this summer, and that's more than we've found in all the years we've had the bird feeder in our yard.
It's mostly Sparrows and House Finches that we've found. They usually hang around the feeder for a while, looking puffy and bloated and sometimes showing some downy feathers, which leads us to think some of them might be pretty young. Shortly after that we find them dead.
We don't know if this is some sort of disease epidemic going around or if they're ingesting something toxic. We've checked with the company where we buy the seed and they've assured us that they don't use pesticides. We put in a inquiry to the San Diego Audubon Society, but haven't heard from them.
Cindy also asked the San Diego County Vector Control Program about what might be killing these birds, but they are concerned with larger birds, who tend to be at the top of the food chain and are the ones who may contract and die from the West Nile virus. They just don't have the resources to investigate smaller birds.
If you find a dead Crow, Raven, Jay, Hawk, Owl or Falcon, please report it to Vector Control at: http://www.sdcounty.ca.gov/deh/pests/wnv/services/chd_wnv_report_dead_birds.html.
I've just found that smaller birds or all types can be reported to the California Department of Public Health at: http://www.westnile.ca.gov/report_wnv.php
We'll report any future birds we find, although we're hoping we won't find any more.
It's mostly Sparrows and House Finches that we've found. They usually hang around the feeder for a while, looking puffy and bloated and sometimes showing some downy feathers, which leads us to think some of them might be pretty young. Shortly after that we find them dead.
We don't know if this is some sort of disease epidemic going around or if they're ingesting something toxic. We've checked with the company where we buy the seed and they've assured us that they don't use pesticides. We put in a inquiry to the San Diego Audubon Society, but haven't heard from them.
Cindy also asked the San Diego County Vector Control Program about what might be killing these birds, but they are concerned with larger birds, who tend to be at the top of the food chain and are the ones who may contract and die from the West Nile virus. They just don't have the resources to investigate smaller birds.
If you find a dead Crow, Raven, Jay, Hawk, Owl or Falcon, please report it to Vector Control at: http://www.sdcounty.ca.gov/deh/pests/wnv/services/chd_wnv_report_dead_birds.html.
I've just found that smaller birds or all types can be reported to the California Department of Public Health at: http://www.westnile.ca.gov/report_wnv.php
We'll report any future birds we find, although we're hoping we won't find any more.
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