08/14/2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 14, 2025
WEST NILE VIRUS DETECTED IN LAKE COUNTY SENTINEL CHICKENS
LAKEPORT, Calif. – Three sentinel chickens tested positive for West Nile virus (WNV) this week. The chickens are part of a flock of sentinel chickens near Upper Lake.
What is a Sentinel Chicken?
A sentinel chicken is a chicken used for the early detection of viruses transmitted by mosquitoes. Any breed of chicken can be a sentinel chicken. These chickens are housed in coops in various locations and serve as an early warning for West Nile, St. Louis encephalitis, and western equine encephalomyelitis viruses. Unlike humans and other animals, chickens do not get sick from West Nile virus can be infected with these viruses without getting sick, making them ideal for monitoring.
“West Nile virus shows up every year throughout California, including Lake County,” said Jamesina Scott, Ph.D., District Manager and Research Director for the Lake County Vector Control District. “It’s shown up a little later than usual this year, likely because of the relatively mild summer temperatures we’ve had so far.”
Dr. Scott recommends that people protect themselves from mosquito bites by using an EPA-registered mosquito repellent, especially if you are out at dusk or dawn when mosquitoes are most active. She recommends visiting the US Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Repellents page to learn more about repellents and find the one that is right for you at https://www.epa.gov/insect-repellents
Vector Control encourages residents to protect themselves with these steps:
Eliminate mosquito habitat: Empty and clean any containers that hold water, such as tires, buckets, and planters.
Maintain swimming pools. Just one neglected swimming pool can produce more than 1 million mosquitoes and affect people up to five miles away.
Consider mosquito fish: For water sources that cannot be drained, such as ornamental ponds or unmaintained swimming pools, the LCVCD offers free mosquito fish to help control mosquito larvae.
Use insect repellent: Apply an EPA-registered insect repellent according to label instructions whenever outdoors.
Wear protective clothing: When outside during peak mosquito biting times (dawn and dusk), wear long-sleeved shirts and pants.
Report dead birds to the toll-free state hotline: 1-877-968-2473 or online at https://westnile.ca.gov/report.
“West Nile virus is a serious threat, but by taking these simple precautions, residents can significantly reduce their risk of infection,” Dr. Scott concluded.
No other West Nile virus has been detected in Lake County in 2025. Statewide, 27 California counties have detected WNV this year in mosquitoes, dead birds, or sentinel chickens. Nine Californians have been sickened by West Nile virus this year, including one resident who died from the infection.
The Lake County Vector Control District provides mosquito control services to our community. If you need help with a mosquito problem, including reporting a neglected pool or spa, or have an in-ground yellowjacket nest on your property that you want treated, please contact the Lake County Vector Control District at (707) 263-4770 (Mon-Fri 7:30 AM-4:00 PM) or submit a service request on their website at www.lcvcd.org.
For more information about West Nile virus, visit https://westnile.ca.gov/. Information about mosquito repellents can be found on the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website at https://www.cdc.gov/mosquitoes/prevention/.
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