Deadly virus now spreads to crows in San Diego — as officials issue warning

West Nile virus has been found in two dead crows in Southern California, officials have revealed — a week after it was detected in a mosquito.

San Diego County officials detected the new cases in Rolando in East County and near Encanto and North Bay Terraces.

While there are no current human cases reported, the county says it is among the earliest signs of the virus’s activity in the region this year.

According to the county: “These birds are some of the earliest signs of West Nile virus activity in the County this year. There are no local human cases so far.

“West Nile virus mainly affects birds, but mosquitoes can pass it to people if they bite an infected bird and then bite a person.”

A person infected with West Nile virus may have no symptoms, or mild ailments like “headaches, fever, nausea, feeling tired, skin rash, or swollen glands,” the county said. In rare cases, the virus can cause severe illness or death.

The disease caused 3,315 deaths in the United States from 1999–2025, according to CDC data. In the same time period, more than 63,000 people were infected.

Mosquitoes are common West Nile carriers, along with other diseases.

“Protecting yourself from mosquitoes is always important. Mosquitoes can live near people — in backyards and even inside homes,” the county wrote.

“Some types of mosquitoes can also spread other diseases like chikungunya, dengue, and Zika, but only if they bite someone who already has those illnesses.”

San Diego County officials advise residents to:

• Prevent mosquito breeding by dumping out water in open containers and obtaining mosquito-eating fish from the county
• Protect yourself from bites with long sleeves, pants, or insect repellent
• Report mosquito problems and dead birds

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