LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Lake County Vector Control District said Friday that 11 more mosquito samples and one dead bird have tested positive for West Nile Virus this week, with incidences of the virus being detected in the county earlier this year than last.
The mosquitoes were collected in Lakeport, Kelseyville, Clearlake Oaks, Anderson Marsh and Upper Lake, while the dead bird was a tree swallow found in Lower Lake, Lake County Vector Control reported.
As of Aug. 1, a total of 24 mosquito samples, two dead birds and one sentinel chicken in Lake County have tested positive for the virus this year, according to Jamesina Scott, Ph.D., district manager and research director of Lake County Vector Control District.
“West Nile Virus activity nearly doubled in the last week,” said Scott. “In previous years, peak activity in Lake County has been in mid-August to mid-September, and that’s still two weeks away. I expect to see a lot more West Nile Virus this year.”
West Nile Virus has been detected in 33 California counties so far this year, mainly in mosquitoes and dead birds. Four human cases have been reported, including one fatal human case in Sacramento County, health officials reported.
Birds are the reservoir for West Nile Virus. Scott said people can become infected when a mosquito bites a bird and then a person.
Symptoms of the mild form of West Nile Virus include fever, headache, tiredness, body aches and swollen lymph glands. While the illness can last only a few days, even healthy people have reported being sick for several weeks, officials said. The severe form of West Nile Virus can be fatal.
Residents are encouraged to bring along mosquito repellant if they attend an outdoor event after 5 p.m., Scott said.
“Evenings are a very pleasant time to be outside right now – both for us and for the mosquitoes,” she said. “The mosquitoes that carry the virus are most active near sunset, and using a repellant will help protect you from mosquito bites.”
In recent years, several new repellants have been registered with the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). “There is a repellant for nearly every need now,” said Scott.
She recommends looking at the small box on the label where the active ingredients are listed. “There are five different active ingredients in mosquito repellants that are proven effective and registered with the US EPA: DEET, Picaridin, Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus, IR3535, and para-menthane-diol,” Scott explained. “But they only work if you apply them. And always read the label and follow the directions.”
It only takes one bite to get West Nile Virus from an infected mosquito and anyone of any age can get this disease. Contracting the virus is largely preventable by taking simple, but very important precautions.
There is no specific treatment for the virus, so Scott said the best approach is to avoid exposure to mosquito bites by following these guidelines:
- Dump or drain standing water. Mosquitoes cannot begin their life without water.
- Defend yourself against mosquitoes using repellents containing DEET, Picaridin, Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus, IR3535, or para-menthane-diol. For more information about effective mosquito repellants, visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) at http://www.cdc.gov/westnile/faq/repellent.html .
- Avoid being outdoors when mosquitoes are present, typically dawn and dusk.
- Report neglected swimming pools by calling 707-263-4770 or visiting www.lcvcd.org . Anonymous calls are accepted. Just one neglected pool can produce more than one million mosquitoes and affect people up to five miles away.
Since 2004, four people in Lake County have been diagnosed with West Nile Virus. Recent studies have shown that the majority of cases are not diagnosed and grossly underreported, according to Scott.
The Lake County Vector Control District, an independent special district and public health agency, is located at 410 Esplanade in Lakeport.
Call the District to report mosquito problems at 707-263-4770 or visit their office weekdays between 7:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. get free mosquitofish for ornamental ponds, horse troughs or neglected swimming pools. Residents can also request service online at www.lcvcd.org .
For more information about West Nile Virus, visit http://www.westnile.ca.gov/ .