The Florida Department of Health in Volusia County is advising residents of an increase in the number of sentinel chickens testing positive for West Nile virus. Sentinel chickens are used to detect some mosquito-borne illnesses including West Nile virus. The birds do not develop disease symptoms but show positive test results to antibodies if infected. No human cases of West Nile virus infection have been currently identified in Volusia County. The Florida Department of Health and Volusia County Mosquito Control are coordinating surveillance and prevention efforts including enhanced surveillance for human mosquito-borne illnesses, targeted treatments for adult mosquito populations and aerial treatment operations targeting mosquito larval habitats. The Department continues to conduct statewide surveillance for mosquito-borne illnesses, including West Nile virus infections, Eastern equine encephalitis, St. Louis encephalitis, malaria, chikungunya, and dengue. Residents of Florida are encouraged to report dead birds to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s site or call 888-404-FWCC.

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