The Lake County Vector Control District and Lake County Health Services reported that they received confirmation that the third mosquito sample collected in Lake County, this time near Upper Lake on Aug. 18, showed the presence of West Nile Virus.

The two previous positive mosquito samples were from Lakeport, as Lake County News reported earlier this month.

So far this year, 1,101 West Nile-infected mosquito samples have been reported statewide, with nearly 300 of those found in Los Angeles County, according to the state's West Nile Virus Web site.

There have been 103 human cases in 13 counties – more than half in Los Angeles and Orange counties combined, the state reported. No human cases have been reported in Lake County.

In addition, 1,456 dead birds, 109 sentinel chickens, 10 squirrels and five horses have been infected with the disease across California. Lake County has had no reports of any of those animals being infected.

West Nile virus is transmitted by mosquitoes to a variety of animals and to humans. Mosquito and vector control agencies usually detect the virus in mosquitoes, birds and sometimes tree squirrels before human cases appear, according to the Thursday report.

The best way to stay healthy during West Nile virus season is to prevent exposure to mosquito bites, local officials said Thursday. West Nile virus is present throughout most of California, so if you plan to be outside, use a mosquito repellent.

Lake County Health Officer Dr. Karen Tait said that, when properly used, mosquito repellents that have been registered with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency are safe and effective. She added that people should not rely on products that have not been scientifically tested.

Dr. Jamesina Scott, district manager and research director for the Lake County Vector Control District, said the agency is working hard to reduce the risk of mosquito bites and West Nile virus to Lake County residents and visitors.

However, there's one area they need help – and that's with finding backyard water sources like neglected swimming pools or ornamental ponds that can be mosquito breeding grounds, Scott said.

“Mosquitoes are easy to control in these habitats if we know where they are. Just one neglected swimming pool can produce thousands of mosquitoes per day, and cause problems for an entire neighborhood,” she explained.

The message local health officials emphasize to residents is the need to drain standing water sources around homes that may breed mosquitoes. People also need to protect themselves with long sleeves or an effective repellent during dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active.

Most people who become infected with West Nile virus do not show symptoms and will recover uneventfully, officials reported. Up to 20 percent of people will develop fever, headache and other nonspecific symptoms that may last several weeks. Approximately one in 150 people will develop severe illness known as neuroinvasive disease. People over age 50 and diabetics appear to be at most risk for the more severe forms of disease.

While there is no human West Nile Virus vaccine, very good equine vaccines are available and officials strongly recommended having horses vaccinated because the disease is potentially fatal for the animals. When West Nile Virus first hit the state several years ago, hundreds of horses died or were euthanized in the disease's initial peak years in California.

Residents can request service, get mosquitofish, or report neglected swimming pools to Lake County Vector Control District at 263-4770 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

To report a dead bird or squirrel, call 1-877-WNV-BIRD (1-877-968-2473) or visit the California Department of Public Health’s West Nile virus website at www.westnile.ca.gov.

For additional information on West Nile virus, visit www.westnile.ca.gov, www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/wnv_factsheet.htm or www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/RepellentUpdates.htm.

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WOW!!!
written by Green Man, August 29, 2008

since this is obviously growing into a bigger problem, dont you think this should be resolved by spraying the whole county instead of paving every highway in the county and building new parks and putting in $14,000 street lights in lakeort? or maybe the county can stop buying brand new work trucks and county cars every year and keep the ones the have for a few years!!!if they did all that that would save us hundreds of thousands of dollars!!!AND THEN THEY CAN FI ALTERRA DR IN LKPT SO THE HOUSES HAVE WATER PRESSURE TO DO THEIR DISHES WITH OUT HAVING TO WASH A PLATE 3 TIMES TO GET THEM CLEAN!!!AND THEN THE WOULDNT HAVE TO COME OUT TWICE A MONTH TO REPAIR THE PIPES WHEN THEY EXPLODE UNDER GROUND!!!!!!!!SCREW THIS COUNTY!!!!!!!! :?: :shock: :!: :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: :?: :?:

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To Vector Control
written by Shores_of_Kabatin, August 29, 2008

I called in (2 weeks ago)a couple of abandoned swimming pools to you and suggested that you put together a form letter, send it to Lake County's Multiple Listing Board asking them to notify ALL Lake County Realtors to help by reporting abandoned swimming pools, due to all the repos currently happening all over Lake Co. Still think it would help if you'd take a few minutes to draft a letter asking for help from the MLS? Perhaps you have?

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Spray The Whole County?
written by fastleft, August 29, 2008

Yea right! The lake too? Do not pave our roads? I have my opinion about the stupid clock down town but Geez! One word Mr.Green---- MOVE! And chage your name( spray the whole county) Green my a___ :shock:

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ya know
written by lenny, August 29, 2008

I don't know why but with all this water around I fully expected tons of mosquitos when I moved here....

unless I'm blind I haven't seen one!!, and have never been bitten by one that I know of since living here x 7 years.

the area I moved from (guerneville) was LOADED!! So was Los Angeles growing up.

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...
written by justjunquies, August 29, 2008

What good is it to report a dead squirrel or bird? The virus is here. We know that. If you're worried about it, protect yourselves from mosquitos.

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Good question!
written by JJ Scott, August 30, 2008

Dear justjunquies,

That's a great question.

You are right, we know that West Nile virus (WNV) is here to stay in Lake County, and the rest of the country.

However reporting dead birds and tree squirrels to California's Dead Bird Hotline (toll free 1-877-968-2473 or online at http://www.westnile.ca.gov/) helps your local mosquito and vector control agency to identify areas that may be at higher risk for WNV transmission. We receive daily updates of our local dead bird reports, and when we see clusters of dead birds or squirrels, then we adjust our program to respond to those reports by increasing our surveillance (more mosquito trapping and testing, and looking for new mosquito sources which we stock with mosquito fish or treat if necessary).

Nonetheless, we still recommend that everyone take common-sense precautions to protect themselves from mosquito bites and mosquito-borne diseases, like West Nile virus:
- Avoid being outside near dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active.
- If you must be outside when mosquitoes are active, wear long sleeves and pants, and use an effective mosquito repellent on exposed skin (there's great info on repellents at http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbi...pdates.htm)
- Protect your family and neighbors from mosquitoes by dumping out standing water on your property.

If you are experiencing a mosquito problem, please contact the Lake County Vector Control District at 263-4770 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Sincerely,
Jamesina Scott
District Manager
Lake County Vector Control District

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Thank you!
written by JJ Scott, August 30, 2008

Dear Shores,

Thank you for your call - we got out to both pools.

Earlier this week I spoke to about 60 local realtors at the monthly meeting of the Lake County Association of Realtors (LCAOR) and asked for their help in finding neglected swimming pools and spas. They've added a link on their website (www.lcaor.com) with information about neglected pools and the Lake County Vector Control District's contact information (263-4770 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ). I'm working with the NORBAR group to give a similar presentation to their members.

Thanks again.

Jamesina Scott
District Manager
Lake County Vector Control District

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WTG Jamesina
written by Shores_of_Kabatin, August 31, 2008

Appreciate your response because this virus is upsetting to hear it has moved to our region currently.

Just to let you know, my dh is a realtor and he does not always have time to spare to attend the meetings, due to his current work load and various other clubs he's a member in. Nor does he take the time to peruse their website, .

You might want to make sure they have posted a message on their MLS message board & a comment in their monthly bulletin - or perhaps, better yet, a postcard sent by Vector Control to the individual members would ensure that all see this important info before it's too late.

Re the pool in Kelseyville area, the bank is getting bids to have the pool drained, cleaned, re-filled, and serviced weekly to help get the house sold faster. Thought you would like to know. Keep up the good work!

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written by JJ Scott, September 01, 2008

Dear Shores,

Thanks! That's a great idea. I'll talk to their newsletter editors and see if we can include a piece there, and also look into the postcard idea.

And thanks for the KV pool update. I'll pass that along to our tech.
And please call or email us anytime if you have mosquito or WNV questions - that's what we're here for!

Sincerely,
Jamesina Scott
District Manager
Lake County Vector Control District
263-4770 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

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