West Palm Beach - West Nile Virus has been detected in Palm Beach County for the first time since November 2007.

Local health officials recommend residents try to avoid mosquitos as much as possible, staying indoors at dawn or dusk. People should also wear longer clothing, use insect repellant with DEET, and remove any standing water from around their homes.

“We are constantly monitoring chickens we have placed throughout the county,” said Health Director Dr. Alina Alonso.

Chickens? Yes. The county’s early detection system for mosquito borne illnesses involves the placement of chickens throughout the area, checking their blood every so often — or “constantly” according to Dr. Alonso — for the presence of antibodies to West Nile.

County officials are scheduled to spray for mosquitos in the near future. The health department reports that the mosquito population is currently low.