The Science Life Health & Medicine

Chickens stand sentinel against mosquito-borne disease in Florida

Antibodies in the birds reveal when certain viral pathogens are being transmitted locally

Leghorn chicken

ON GUARD  Florida’s sentinel chicken programs may include Leghorn (shown), Barred Rock or Rhode Island Red breeds.

sylv1rob1/iStock/Getty Images Plus

By Aimee Cunningham

- More than 2 years ago

For 40 years, they’ve held the front line in Florida’s fight against mosquito-borne diseases. And it turns out that the chickens standing sentinel in cities, marshes, woodlands and residential backyards are clucking good at their job.