The Vector Control Division of the city of Moorpark received con- firmation on Sept. 22 that one of its sentinel chickens has tested posi- tive for West Nile virus. The results were confirmed at the California Department of Health Services in Richmond.

This is the first detection of the virus within Moorpark this year. In the past two years, West Nile virus was found in dead birds collected within the city. As of today's date, no dead birds collected and submitted have tested positive for the virus.

Since Jan. 1, more than 40 birds collected elsewhere in Ventura County have tested positive for the virus.

The virus is spread by mosqui- toes which feed on the blood of in- fected birds and pass it on to humans or other animals. The virus is not spread by person-to-person contact or directly from birds to humans.

The California Department of Health Services, together with vec- tor control agencies, maintain small flocks of sentinel chickens as an active "early warning" program to help detect the presence of viruses that are spread by mosquitoes.

Chickens are immune to dis- eases such as encephalitis and West Nile virus; however, they do produce antibodies which can be detected in their blood if they are exposed to a disease from a mosquito bite. The chick- ens are tested regularly and if antibodies appear in their blood, it shows they were recently bit- ten by infected mosquitoes.

In Moorpark, the chickens are located near the Arroyo Simi.

Residents can protect them- selves with the following tips:

+Eliminate standing water on property by dumping or draining water in swimming pools, ponds, rain barrels, discarded tires, buck- ets or anything holding water for more than a few days. This will stop the mosquito life cycle.

+Take precautions when out- doors, especially at dawn or dusk when mosquitoes are most active, by wearing long pants and long- sleeve shirts.

+Use mosquito repellent con- taining DEET.

+Keep tight-fitting screens on doors and windows to prevent mos- quitoes from entering homes.

Larger sources of standing wa- ter that can't be eliminated by dumping or draining within Moor- park should be reported to the city's Vector Control Division at (805) 517-6267.

Sources outside Moorpark but within Ventura County can be re- ported at (805) 658-4310.

If a dead bird is found that lacks obvious signs of trauma, report it to (877) WNV-BIRD (968-2473).

For more information about West Nile virus, visit www.westnile.ca.gov.