A dead American crow found in Benicia has tested positive for West Nile virus, Assistant City Manager Anne Cardwell said Tuesday.

Solano County Mosquito Abatement District notified Benicia officials that tests on the bird, found in the northeast side of the city, indicate it had the illness, Cardwell said.

“Although not the first positive test result in Solano County, this is the first bird found in the city of Benicia to test positive for the virus,” she said.

Mosquito Abatement District employees will be placing mosquito traps in random sites throughout Benicia to collect adult mosquitos that will be tested at the University of California-Davis, Cardwell said.

District officials said rising temperatures in Solano County have led to an increase in West Nile activity in the past week.

Evidence of the virus has been found in dead birds from Dixon in the north if the county and Benicia in the south, officials said.

They are telling Benicia residents to take precautions against the disease, which can feel as mild as a case of influenza or become a serious to critical illness.

No vaccine for humans is available, though horses can be vaccinated against the disease.

Those who are outside at dawn and dusk should know that’s also when mosquitos are most active and therefore most likely to spread West Nile virus.

Residents should avoid being outside at these times, but if they can’t remain indoors, they should wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants. They should apply repellants registered with the Environmental Protection Agency.

Because mosquitoes lay their eggs on standing water, residents should remove any source of standing water from their property, include in empty flower pots, buckets, barrels, old tires and rain gutters. Water in pet bowls should be changed at least every two to three days.

Those with ornamental ponds may obtain free mosquitofish from the district.

Insect repellent can prevent mosquitos from biting, and district officials recommended using those with DEET, picaradin, oil of lemon eucalyptus or IR3535.

Any door or window should have a tight-fitting screen to keep mosquitos outside, and residents should repair or replace those with tears or holes.

Residents can report standing water or unmaintained pools to the district by calling 707-437-1116. Dead birds can be reported either by calling 877-WNV-BIRD (877-968-2473) or by visiting the website www.WestNile.ca.gov.

Those interested may visit the Solano County Mosquito Abatement District website at www.SolanoMosquito.com, and www.WestNile.ca.gov.

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