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Four SoCal Birds Test Positive for West Nile Virus

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Photo by rawkblog4 via the LAist Featured Photos pool on Flickr

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Four birds have tested positive for West Nile Virus after being found dead in Cerritos and the San Gabriel Valley, reports the Daily News. Two of the four birds were discovered in Cerritos, one in Baldwin Park and one in Covina. A fifth bird's test is still pending.

West Nile Virus is spread through bites from mosquitos that have been infected with the disease. Humans are susceptible to the illness as well as animals.

According to the California West Nile Virus website, no humans have been infected so far this year. However, 23 birds have been found to have the disease throughout the state, as far north as Sacramento County and as far south as Orange and Riverside Counties. The birds found in Cerritos were the first reported to be infected this year in Los Angeles County.

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