West Nile Virus in San Diego

[Graehstone]

Second bird found today within 15 miles of where I live
This is the most recent article I found for the area.

By Cheryl Clark
July 8, 2005

An infected crow found dead near a Carlsbad school is this year's first evidence that West Nile virus has arrived in San Diego County, health officials announced yesterday.

Culex tarsalis mosquitoes from the San Elijo area were studied at the county Department of Environmental Health as part of a normal screening for West Nile virus. None of these mosquitoes had the virus.
The bird was collected June 10 for lab analysis, said Jack Miller, chief of the vector-control program for the county Department of Environmental Health. It initially tested negative for West Nile, but subsequent examination by a state lab confirmed the virus's presence.

"Now that we know the virus is here this year, people need to be on guard," Miller said. "They need to protect themselves by using insect repellents, particularly when they're near mosquito breeding areas, and to look for standing pools of water around their yards where mosquitoes breed."

People also should quickly report dead jays, ravens, owls, hawks and crows so county health workers can pick them up for testing.

Reporting dead birds

To report a dead bird possibly infected with West Nile virus, call (888) 551-4636. To learn more about the virus, visit www.sdfightthebite.com. The Web site has information in English and 10 other languages.

Miller declined to identify the school near where the infected crow was collected, adding that the bird probably contracted the virus miles away. In the past three years, San Diego County has fared better than most of its Southern California counterparts in the fight against West Nile.

Orange County has reported 85 infected birds this year, with its first find Jan. 14. Riverside County has reported 16, while Los Angeles County has logged seven. Although Imperial County has not reported a dead infected bird this year, pools of infected mosquitoes have been confirmed in that region.

Orange County's infection rate may be high because it also tests live birds for West Nile virus, Miller said.

Statewide, two human infections have been reported this year. They occurred in Riverside and Tulare counties.

Miller and state health officials said it's too soon to determine whether San Diego County will have many more infections this year. The virus can infect birds, including chickens, as well as horses and humans.

But Miller suggested that if infection counts remain low, one reason is probably the county's aggressive aerial application of larvicide on 27 known mosquito breeding areas such as lagoons. He said the program, which cost $240,000 this year, is well worth its price tag.

"No one else is starting at the beginning of the season treating these locations on a regular monthly basis," Miller said. "It reduced mosquito breeding by an average of 90 percent" compared with the number counted in a year when spraying wasn't done.

Detecting West Nile

Health officials have several ways to detect West Nile virus, such as collecting and testing dead birds, examining sentinel chickens and analyzing samples taken from mosquito pools.

The following are totals of dead birds that tested positive for West Nile from Jan. 1 through yesterday in Southern California counties:

Orange: 85
Riverside: 16
Los Angeles: 7
San Bernardino: 2
Ventura: 1
San Diego: 1

Source: California Department of Health Services
Vicki Kramer, chief of the Vector Borne Disease Section of the California Department of Health Services in Sacramento, acknowledged that the county's spray program may be partly responsible. But she added that San Diego County may have a slightly cooler climate, which could make it less conducive to the mosquitoes and birds that carry the virus than neighboring counties where West Nile has been more virulent.

Throughout California, blood and tissue specimens from dead birds traditionally have been sent to state labs at the University of California Davis for testing. But recently, San Diego County began using a more rapid method called the VecTest. It must pay for this test, which costs $8 per bird.

In the United States, West Nile was first reported in 1999 in New York City. Last year, there were 2,470 human cases and 88 deaths. San Diego County had two residents diagnosed in 2004, but one person contracted the virus in Los Angeles and the other person's infection origin was undetermined.

This year, 3,553 dead birds have been tested throughout the state. Of those, 257 in 31 counties have tested positive.

[Regina U.]

That's scary!!!!!


Regina

[birdyland]

They find them every year the past few years in east county close to where I live. Consequently, both birds are vaccinated for WNV by Dr. Jenkins. Tiki was vaccinated last year and is due for her Booster in Nov, and Niki just completed her first shot and booster a few weeks ago. Now, I know some of you will come back with "there's no approved avian WNV vaccine"... I know, but here's what our Doc has to say about it:

Dana
The vaccine we are currently using for WNV is approved for use in horses and has been researched by Dr. Pat Reddig at the Raptor center at the U of MN Veterinary School. It has been used by many zoos (including our zoo and WAP) and has proven to be efficacious in outbreaks.
Pat Reddig's people have been working on a bird approved vaccine. Maybe we will hear more at the up coming AAV meeting mid August.
Cheers,
Dr. J

Mine spend so much time outside, and even though my pond is stocked with hundreds of mosquito fish, I still worry.... they are just finding these dead birds too close to my home. The vaccine is $50 then a booster a month later at $50. Yep, that's right. I've spent $200 in the past year, and will spend $100 every year to boost two birds. After reading the studies involving crows, and the avian vets telling me about successes in emu flocks and at the World Famous San Diego Zoo and Wild Animal Parks, I decided better safe than sorry.

[big_blue_spam]

Hi Dana,
I was just wondering where your vet is located, I live in San Diego and have been struggling to find a good avian vet. Please let me know, I'd appreciate it.
Thanks,
Amanda

[Graehstone]

Originally Posted by big_blue_spam

Hi Dana,
I was just wondering where your vet is located, I live in San Diego and have been struggling to find a good avian vet. Please let me know, I'd appreciate it.
Thanks,
Amanda

Amanda, where in SD do you live? I live in Poway and my Vet is Dr. Gallerstein in Escondido and also the author of the following book.
http://www.silvio-co.com/store/items...temTEMP-08.htm

Here is the addy for the Animal Hospital: http://www.acaciavet.vetsuite.com/

Or if you are not close than Dana's vet is a very good one as well.
There is still a third option in Encinitas that has a fantastic Vet for Parrots as well. Let me know and I will dig him up for you if you need me to.

[birdyland]

Originally Posted by big_blue_spam

Hi Dana,
I was just wondering where your vet is located, I live in San Diego and have been struggling to find a good avian vet. Please let me know, I'd appreciate it.
Thanks,
Amanda

Excellent..... I'd recommend my avian vet anyday. Here is the info:
Jeffrey R. Jenkins, DVM
Avian & Exotic Animal Hospital
2317 Hotel Circle South, Suite C
San Diego, CA 92108-3310
Phone: 619 260-1412
Fax: 619 260-1499
URL: http://www.drexotic.com/


Graeh suggested Dr. Gallerstein whom I've also heard great things about.
Dr. Gary Gallerstein (wrote the Complete Bird Owner's Handbook)
Dr. Carmine Bausone
Acacia Animal Hospital
1040 N. Broadway
Escondido, CA 92026
(760) 745-8115


Dr. Stonebreaker is the third AV that is generally recommended for San Diego, I hear excellent things about him as well.
Dr. Robert Stonebreaker
Del Mar Veterinary Hospital
2132 Jimmy Durante Blvd
Del Mar, CA 92014
(619) 755-9351


There are others, but these three come with the most credentials and good recommendations.

[big_blue_spam]

Thanks guys,
I live in Normal Heights, so I'm thinking the one in mission valley would be best, I think I'll need to make an appt. Boy do I have horror stories about some of the "avian" vets around here. Thanks again and it's good to know that i have neighbors here
Amanda

[birdyland]

Originally Posted by big_blue_spam

Boy do I have horror stories about some of the "avian" vets around here. Thanks again and it's good to know that i have neighbors here
Amanda

Heh...yeah. I had some of the same problems before I got a list from the bird club with the three that I listed above.... the regular vets just don't cut it, they MUST be avian certified and have experience, or it's not worth it; they can do more harm than good!

You'll love Dr. J. There is another guy there, Dr. Cecil, they are both good, but opt to go on a day Dr. Jenkins is there, you won't regret it.

Good luck! What kind(s) of birds do you have anyway?

[big_blue_spam]

I only have 1, a Goffin's Cockatoo. Oscar's a rescue and I currently have my hands full with him Thanks you once again for reffering me to those vets, I appreciate it.

Amanda

[birdyland]

Oh dear, I found a dead songbird on my back poarch last night. I logged a found report with the state, we'll see if they come pick it up...