Click here for the entire media release en español
VENTURA — The Ventura County Environmental Health Division (Division) received confirmation from the California Department of Public Health that a bird collected in the city of Camarillo on August 1, 2026, and two birds collected in the city of Ventura on August 3, 2026, tested positive for West Nile virus (WNV). All mosquito breeding sources in the area where the birds were collected will be inspected and treated if evidence of mosquito breeding is observed. Ventura County Public Health and Environmental Health are closely monitoring WNV activity, including the increase in WNV cases and the recent WNV-related death in Los Angeles County.
Public Health confirms that no human cases of WNV have been identified to date in 2026 in Ventura County.
These latest detections bring the total number of WNV-positive birds in Ventura County this year to six. Since late May, ongoing surveillance and testing have detected WNV activity in Ventura, Camarillo, Thousand Oaks and Fillmore through dead bird and mosquito pool samples. WNV is established in Ventura County, and additional WNV positive detections are expected to increase this mosquito season.
“West Nile Virus activity is above average statewide this year, and our teams are out everyday monitoring and treating mosquito breeding sources throughout Ventura County,” said Cary Svoboda, Supervising Environmental Health Specialist for the Vector Control Program. “But mosquito control really is a community effort. As we continue this work, we strongly urge residents to protect themselves, their loved ones, and their neighbors by taking precautions to prevent mosquito bites and breeding.”
Environmental Health and Public Health strongly urge the public to take the following precautions to minimize exposure to WNV:
-
Use an EPA-approved insect repellent containing Picaridin, DEET, Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus (or PMD), or IR3535.
-
When outdoors, wear long pants and long-sleeved shirts and limit activity, especially at dawn and dusk.
-
Ensure doors and windows have tight-fitting screens without holes.
-
Eliminate all standing water (i.e., potential mosquito breeding sources) from your property.
WNV can not only affect humans but can also affect horses. For information on WNV in horses, the owners should contact their veterinarian.
To report mosquitoes or potential mosquito breeding sources in Ventura County, the public can call the mosquito complaint HOTLINE at (805) 658-4310. The Division also provides mosquito eating fish to the public to use in non-maintained swimming pools, ornamental ponds, and similar water features. To request mosquito-eating fish call (805) 662-6582. Report wild birds that have died recently at westnile.ca.gov, or call (877)WNV-Bird or (877) 968-2473.
To obtain information about mosquito control and surveillance efforts in Ventura County please visit the Division’s website:https://rma.venturacounty.gov/divisions/environmental-health/vector-control-program/