The Pinellas County Mosquito Control has confirmed a positive test result for West Nile Virus in two sentinel chickens on Thursday, September 28.
The infected chickens were located in the Sawgrass Lake and Lake Maggiore areas of St. Petersburg.
On Oct. 11, a sentinel chicken tested positive for West Nile Virus in the Cross Bayou area of St. Petersburg.
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The positive test results have prompted technicians to respond with treatment targeting the adult mosquitoes and larvae by ground and by air in the area in addition to their ongoing treatment efforts.
Learn more from Pinellas County Mosquito Control.
Sentinel chickens are used as an early-warning detection system for some mosquito-born diseases. The chickens help officials signal that disease-carrying mosquitoes are present.
Citizens in Pinellas County are urged to protect themselves from mosquitoes by using approved mosquito repellant and ensuring screens and seals are intact around windows and doors. Residents are also urged to remove standing water from their properties to prevent mosquitoes from breeding.
