INGLEWOOD, Calif.–Two chickens in Inglewood have tested positive for the West Nile Virus and Los Angeles County officials issued a statement asking residents to protect themselves from mosquitoes carrying the virus.
The virus is transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito.
Mosquitoes become infected when they first feed on birds that carry the virus, and then bite a human or animal.
The infected chickens were in the city’s Cemetery Sentinel Flock in what officials were only describing as in the 90301 ZIP code area of Inglewood, said the Los Angeles County West Vector and Vector-Borne Disease District.
The district said Inglewood residents can protect themselves from the West Nile Virus by applying insect repellent according to the label, making sure doors and windows have tight-fitting screens to keep mosquitoes out and eliminating all sources of standing water, including flower pots, old car tires, pet bowls and rain gutters.
“I want all Inglewood residents to become educated and take precautions to protect themselves from this potentially life threatening virus,” said Inglewood Mayor James T. Butts.
