July 27, 2005

US finds bird with West Nile virus in California State
 

A black-headed grosbeak found in Aromas, Monterey County, California, tested positive for the West Nile virus. It was the first known case of the virus in the county this year.

Since mosquitoes carried the virus, which could infect humans, district biologists focused their attention on stagnant water around Aromas, searching for breeding grounds. They also used bacteria that killed mosquito larvae and tested for species of the mosquito that carried the virus.

A biologist said the bacteria were harmless to other animals that might be living in the pond suspected to be the main breeding ground for such mosquitoes.