First evidence of West Nile Virus in 2024 found in Delaware sentinel chickens

DELAWARE – The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control says West Nile Virus has been detected in sentinel chickens that help with monitoring the state for mosquito-borne illnesses.

We’re the initial occurrence of the virus was found in eight chickens sampled on Monday, with the results coming back on Wednesday.

The positive results reportedly came from 5 of the 20 sentinel chicken stations throughout the state maintained by the Mosquito Control Section. The virus-positive chickens were found in three sentinel chicken stations in New Castle County, one in Kent County, and one in Sussex County.

There have been no reported West Nile Virus cases in humans yet in 2024 for the state of Delaware, residents are reminded that the possibility of contracting mosquito-transmitted diseases will continue until colder temperatures arrive in mid-October or later.