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Three sentinel chickens test positive for West Nile virus in Pinellas County

 
Published Aug. 4, 2015

Three sentinel chickens tested positive for West Nile virus in Pinellas County on Tuesday, health officials said.

The chickens, which serve as an "early-warning detection system for some mosquito-borne diseases," are tested weekly by county mosquito control in eight locations.

This week, positive tests emerged from Clearwater Nursery, Walsingham Park in Seminole and near Lake Maggiore in St. Petersburg.

Three chickens in Tarpon Springs, St. Petersburg and Oldsmar tested positive in July, making six positive tests this year. The Florida Department of Health in Pinellas County is keeping an eye on the trend.

While mosquito control technicians treat breeding grounds and ramp up fogging and treatment areas near the positive-testing sites, county officials advise residents to rid their properties of standing water. Just a quarter inch is enough for mosquitoes to breed.

Some areas to monitor include old tires, flower pots, garbage can lids, buckets, air conditioner drips and rain gutters, the county warned.

Pools should be kept chlorinated and outdoor pet dishes refreshed daily.

More information and mosquito control request forms can be found at www.pinellascounty.org/ or by calling (727) 464-7503.