West Nile Virus Is Detected in Ojai Crow

A crow found in Ojai tested positive for West Nile virus, adding Ventura County to a growing list of Southern California counties that are detecting the virus in wild birds.

The dead crow was found near El Paseo Road and Ojai Avenue in Ojai late last week, said William Stratton, a manager in the Ventura County Environmental Health Division.

Vector control workers have since scoured potential sources in a five-mile perimeter, but have not found any infected mosquitoes, Stratton said.

So far, no human cases of West Nile virus have been reported in Ventura County. The virus causes flu-like symptoms and is usually not serious, except for the elderly, officials said.

County staff routinely monitors 1,400 potential breeding sites in and near urban areas and uses pesticides and mosquito-eating fish to control them, Stratton said. But it’s up to property owners to inspect their own yards.

“We really depend on homeowners to eliminate sources on their own property,” he said.

Mosquitoes can breed anywhere there is standing water, from buckets to birdbaths. Environmental health officials are advising people to take common-sense precautions to avoid bites, such as wearing long sleeves and applying repellents.

The public can help in the monitoring effort by calling a state hotline -- (877) WNV-BIRD or (877) 968-2473 -- to report birds that have been dead for less than 48 hours.