A second bird this year has tested positive for West Nile virus in El Dorado County.

An acorn woodpecker in the Garden Valley had the virus.

West Nile virus activity in dead birds has been reported in 38 California counties, with a total of 463 dead birds, including neighboring Sacramento (86 birds) and Placer (three birds) counties.

Confirmation of the West Nile virus positive bird means the virus is circulating between birds and mosquitoes and there is heightened risk of infection in humans.

Last year, four West Nile virus positive birds were identified in El Dorado County on the West Slope and one human case reported. For 2017, no human cases of West Nile virus have been reported for El Dorado County.

West Nile virus can be transmitted to people through the bite of an infected mosquito. Mosquitoes get the virus when they feed on infected birds. The illness is not spread from person-to-person.

–Lake Tahoe News staff report