The detection of West Nile Virus in the eastern area of Stanislaus County has health officials advising people to take precautions against mosquito bites.
At the end of May the East Side Mosquito abatement district reported finding the West Nile Virus in mosquitoes collected near Lakewood Avenue and Scenic Drive in Modesto. The mosquito samples were collected on May 22 in a gravid trap placed overnight. This is the first WNV positive sample detected in Stanislaus County and the north San Joaquin Valley. As of June 7, Merced County has not detected any West Nile Virus.
Statewide, there have been 19 birds and 52 mosquito samples testing positive for the virus.
The temperature increases typically bring an increase in mosquitoes, which in turn raises the rate of the virus in the area.
Mosquitoes become infected with West Nile Virus when they feed on infected birds. Infected mosquitoes can then spread West Nile Virus to humans and other animals when they bite, according to the Centers for Disease Control. West Nile Virus first appeared in California in 2003 and by 2004 it was in all 58 counties.
Approximately 1 in 5 people who are infected with West Nile virus will develop symptoms such as fever, headache, body aches, joint pains, vomiting, diarrhea, or rash. Less than 1 percent will develop a serious neurologic illness such as encephalitis or meningitis (inflammation of the brain or surrounding tissues). About 10 percent of people who develop neurologic infection due to West Nile virus will die, according to the CDC. People over 50 years of age and those with certain medical conditions, such as cancer, diabetes, hypertension, kidney disease, and organ transplants, are at greater risk for serious illness.
There are no medications to treat or vaccines to prevent West Nile Virus infection. People with milder illnesses typically recover on their own, although symptoms may last for several weeks or months. In the neuroinvasive forms, patients can suffer severe and sometimes long-term
Mosquitoes like to breed in stagnant water, preferring weedy areas that provide cover. The lagoons at dairy farms make for perfect breeding grounds, but so do flooded fields, uncared for swimming pools, urban catch basins, overwatered lawns, and pretty much anything that holds water and allows it to stagnate.
The local mosquito abatement districts will continue with their treatment and surveillance programs by identifying mosquito breeding sources and mosquito borne disease activity. They will perform treatments according to their surveillance results. The Districts would like to remind residents that they can help by taking the following precautions:
• Dump or drain standing water. These are places mosquitoes like to lay their eggs.
• Defend yourself against mosquitoes by using repellants containing DEET, Picaridin or Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus.
• Avoid being outdoors at dusk and dawn. These are the times when WNV carrying mosquitoes are generally most active.
•Report neglected swimming pools to your local mosquito abatement district.
• Use tight fitting door and window screens to keep mosquitoes from entering your home.
• Contact your veterinarian for information on vaccinating equine against WNV.
For additional information or to request service, contact the Turlock Mosquito Abatement District at (209) 634-1234 or (www.turlockmosquito.org).
Reporting and testing of dead birds are important steps in preventing West Nile Virus. A confirmed case of the virus in dead birds or mosquito samples helps to identify areas that need treatment to reduce mosquito activity. To report a dead bird, call the California State hotline at 1-877-WNV-BIRD or report it online at www.westnile.ca.gov. Birds of particular interest are crows, ravens, magpies, jays and raptors (hawk or eagle).
