NORTH COAST, Calif. – Mendocino County health officials reported Tuesday that the first human case of West Nile virus in that county since 2014 has been confirmed.
Officials said it is unclear whether the patient was infected with the virus within Mendocino County, as the patient reported being bitten by mosquitoes while out of state during the incubation period.
The patient is recovering, according to the report.
Earlier this week, the California Department of Public Health reported that the state's first West Nile virus death of this year occurred in Nevada County, where a senior citizen died of the virus.
No other human cases of the virus have been reported this year statewide, according to the California West Nile virus Web site, www.westnile.ca.gov .
West Nile virus is transmitted to humans and animals through the bite of an infected mosquito.
A person or animal that has been infected by West Nile virus may have no symptoms of illness or they could become severely ill.
Severe symptoms occur in less than 1 percent of those persons infected by West Nile virus. Symptoms can include high fever, headache, neck stiffness, disorientation, tremors, coma, convulsions, muscle loss, numbness, paralysis and vision loss. These symptoms can last several weeks and neurological effects may be permanent.
Mild symptoms occur in up to 20 percent of persons infected with West Nile virus and include fever, headache, body aches, nausea, vomiting and sometimes swollen lymph glands or a rash on the chest, stomach and back.
Persons with these symptoms can feel ill for a few days, while others may feel ill for several weeks. Approximately 80 percent of those who are infected with West Nile virus do not have any symptoms at all and do not feel ill.
Individuals over 50 years of age are at a higher risk to develop serious symptoms if they are infected with West Nile virus.
To avoid becoming infected with West Nile virus, avoid spending time outdoors at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active; wear long pants and long-sleeved shirts when outdoors and use insect repellent; eliminate all sources of standing water to reduce mosquito breeding; and repair or replace torn screens on windows and doors to prevent mosquitoes from entering your home.
Mendocino County resident tests positive for West Nile virus
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