Location of West Nile Virus infected birds in El Cerrito, more information about the virus, protecting yourself and your community

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The four birds that were found in El Cerrito that tested positive for the potentially deadly West Nile Virus were found between June 27, 2026 and July 31, 2026. They were found near Fairmount Avenue, Lincoln Avenue, Stockton Avenue, and Donal Avenue.

The disease is most often spread when mosquitoes bite infected birds and then humans.

The district is encouraging residents to protect themselves by using repellent. Residents are also asked to help prevent the spread of mosquitos by carefully checking their own property to eliminate even small amounts of standing water in buckets and other containers, and to report dead birds to the district.

The disease can be deadly, but the Kaiser Permanente website said most people who get the disease don’t get sick. For those who do get sick, it is usually mild, the hospital site says. Symptoms may include fever, headache, body aches, and sometimes a skin rash. People over 55 and those with immune system problems are at the highest risk.

According to the Contra Costa Mosquito and Vector Control District, the seven birds that tested positive countywide for West Nile Virus were found at:

Bird #1 Fairmount Avenue near Norvell Street, El Cerrito, June 27, 2026
Bird #2 Pine Hollow Road and Rollinghills Way, Concord, July 13, 2026
Bird #3 Heartland Circle and Homecoming Way, Brentwood, July 22, 2026
Bird #4 Lincoln Avenue and Liberty Street, El Cerrito, July 28, 2026
Bird #5 Stockton Avenue and Elm Street, El Cerrito, July 28, 2026
Bird #6 Cedro Lane and Ebano Drive, Walnut Creek, July 29, 2026
Bird #7 Donal Avenue and Scott Street, El Cerrito, July 31, 2026

A mosquito sample that tested positive was found near Waterfront Road and Waterbird Way in Martinez, near the Waterbird Regional Reserve, on June 23, 2026.

The vector control district says El Cerrito residents should put on mosquito repellent before going outside in the morning and evening, as mosquitoes that transmit West Nile Virus are most active at those times. It says repellents with the following ingredients are most effective:

  • DEET
  • Picaridin
  • The repellent version of Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus
  • IR3535

Several sources urge following the repellent directions carefully.

Kaiser and other sources also recommend wearing long pants and long-sleeved shirts. Some outdoor-clothing stores, it says, sell clothing already treated with insect repellent.

The vector district asks that residents check their own front and back yards at least once each week and dump out any amount of standing water to remove locations where mosquitoes can reproduce.

Contra Costa County residents may contact the district to request help managing mosquitos by calling (925) 685-9301 or online. One solution the district offers is providing mosquitofish for your pond or other water feature.

The service is free because Contra Costa County residents already pay for district services through property taxes.

Contra Costa County residents can report dead birds by phone at (877) WNV-BIRD (968-2473) or online.

According to the Vector-Borne Disease Section of the California Department of Public Health: “WEST NILE VIRUS (WNV) is a mosquito-borne virus that causes disease in humans, horses, and birds. WNV spreads to people through the bite of an infected mosquito, and it can make people sick and even cause death. WNV is common in the United States, especially in California, and is a problem that is here to stay. The best way to prevent WNV is to protect yourself from mosquito bites.”

The site adds, “West Nile virus is the most common and serious vector-borne disease in California. There have been more than 8,000 human cases and over 400 deaths reported in California since 2003. The mosquitoes that spread WNV are found throughout the state.”

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