Delaware has its first indication that West Nile Virus is present in the state this year.
Seven sentinel chickens tested positive for the virus in August, according to Delaware’s Division of Public Health Laboratory.
Division of Fish & Wildlife Mosquito Contrl Section Administrator Dr. William Meredith said all of the chickens were from New Castle County locations north of the C&D Canal.
Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control officials said the findings of West Nile Virus in sentinel chickens serves as a reminder for people to take precautions against mosquito bites.
No cases of West Nile virus have been found in humans, wild birds or horses in Delaware this year. Regionally, five human cases have been reported in Pennsylvania and one each in New Jersey and Virginia
Delaware has reported 11 cases of the mosquito-borne Zika virus as of last month.
