First West Nile Virus-Positive Bird of 2026 Confirmed in Compton
A crow found on South Central Avenue tested positive. Here's what it means — and the ten minutes a week that make the difference.
A dead crow recovered from the 2000 block of South Central Avenue has tested positive for West Nile Virus. Together with the human case reported earlier this season, it confirms the virus is active in local mosquitoes.
Why a Dead Crow Matters
Crows, jays, ravens, and magpies are unusually vulnerable to WNV and don't survive it long. That's why the State's dead bird program exists and why we test what residents report. The virus cycles between mosquitoes and birds, and a positive crow tells us infected mosquitoes are nearby — and where to concentrate trapping and treatment.
You Cannot Catch West Nile Virus From Another Person
People are dead-end hosts: an infected person never carries enough virus in the blood to infect a biting mosquito, so the chain stops with us. No spread through casual contact, and none from a bird you've bagged and disposed of with gloves on. The only ordinary route is an infected mosquito bite — which means prevention is entirely within reach.
What Infection Looks Like
What We're Doing
Staff has increased inspections and treatment of breeding sources — catch basins, storm drains, containers, and standing water on vacant and industrial property. We're also monitoring incoming dead bird reports District-wide.
What You Can Do: The Ten-Minute Walk
Mosquitoes don't need a pond — a tablespoon of water and about a week of warm weather will do. Nearly every mosquito biting you in your yard was born in your yard, or a few doors down. Once a week, walk your property and tip out anything holding water:
- 🌿Plant saucers and drip trays — the most common source District staff find
- 🐾Pet bowls and birdbaths
- 🪣Buckets, tarps, and toys
- 🍂Clogged gutters
- 🔧Leaking hose bibs and sprinklers
Protect Against the Bites You Can't Prevent
- 🧴Use an EPA-registered repellent — DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or IR3535 are all options
- 👕Long sleeves and pants when practical
- 🌅Extra care at dawn and dusk, when Culex mosquitoes feed hardest
- 🪟Screens that actually fit
Found a Dead Bird? Call It In.
The crow on South Central became useful information because somebody reported it. Report recently dead birds — especially crows, jays, magpies, ravens, sparrows, finches, or hawks — within 24 to 48 hours. Use gloves or an inside-out bag if told to dispose of it yourself.
(1-877-968-2473)
Or report online at westnile.ca.gov
We're Here, and It's Free
To report a neglected pool, standing water, or a mosquito problem — or to request an inspection or free mosquitofish — contact Compton Creek Mosquito Abatement District. Every District service is free within our service area.
Contact CCMAD → Call 310-933-5321 →