Dead bird found in Columbia tests positive for West Nile virus, city says

A dead bird found in the Columbia city limits has tested positive for the West Nile virus, the city said.

The city announced the positive test late Thursday, and said spraying for adult mosquitoes in the south part of Columbia will start July 30 and end July 31.

Spraying is typically done between midnight and dawn but can be done earlier depending on conditions, the city said

Any resident allergic to permethrin or tau-fluvalinate products is asked to notify Vector Control staff at 803-545-4229. The city said all beekeepers should call code enforcement to notify staff of their hives.

The city also asked residents to take precautions to reduce the threat of mosquitoes, such as clearing drainage ditches, emptying and turning over outdoor containers holding water, cutting overgrown grass and shrubbery, properly maintaining swimming pools and using insect repellents registered by the Environmental Protection Agency.

This story was originally published July 28, 2022 at 5:44 PM.

Maayan Schechter

The State

Maayan Schechter (My-yahn Schek-ter) is the senior editor of The State’s politics and government team. She has covered the S.C. State House and politics for The State since 2017. She grew up in Atlanta, Ga. and graduated from the University of North Carolina-Asheville in 2013. She previously worked at the Aiken Standard and the Greenville News. She has won reporting awards in South Carolina. Support my work with a digital subscription