LAKEPORT, Calif. – Five more samples of Culex tarsalis mosquitoes collected in Lake County tested positive for West Nile virus this week, bringing the total West Nile virus activity this year to 13 positive mosquito samples and four positive dead birds.
“Mosquitoes are thriving despite the drought,” said Jamesina Scott, Ph.D., district manager and research director of the Lake County Vector Control District. “This has been a hot summer with lots of days in the upper 90s and 100s and relatively warm nights, and that helps the mosquitoes and West Nile virus to multiply faster.”
The five most recent West Nile virus-positive mosquitoes were collected near Upper Lake, Scott reported.
In the last six weeks, positive mosquitoes have been collected from several sites in the Upper Lake and Kelseyville zip codes, she said.
In addition to the mosquito samples, Scott said West Nile virus has been detected in four dead birds in Lake County this year, most recently in a red-shouldered hawk found near Middletown on July 2.
The district recommends that residents reduce their risk of West Nile virus by staying indoors at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active; using a repellent that contains the active ingredients DEET, Picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or IR3535 before going outdoors; dumping out or draining water that has been standing for more than three days, including wading pools, birdbaths, pet dishes, tire swings, children’s toys and flower planters.
If the water cannot be drained (out-of-service swimming pools and spas, animal watering troughs, ornamental ponds) residents can pick up free mosquitofish from Lake County Vector Control District Office at 410 Esplanade in Lakeport, 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Statewide, 29 California counties have detected West Nile virus this year, mainly in mosquitoes and dead birds.
Eleven human cases have been reported in California this year. No human cases have been reported in Lake County so far this year.
Many areas of California are seeing a similar pattern of activity to that in Lake County, with West Nile virus indicators appearing earlier and at higher levels than usual.
There is no treatment or human vaccine for West Nile virus.
Less than 1 percent of individuals (about 1 in 150 people) infected with West Nile virus will develop severe illness.
The severe symptoms can include high fever, headache, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, vision loss, numbness and paralysis. These symptoms may last several weeks, and neurological effects may be permanent.
West Nile virus infection can be fatal. People over age 50 and diabetics are at greater risk for the more severe forms of the disease.
Residents are encouraged to contact the district to report neglected pools, request service for mosquito problems or to get mosquitofish at 707-263-4770, or to fill out a service request online at www.lcvcd.org .
Dead birds can reported through the district’s Web site or toll-free at 877-968-2473.
More information about West Nile virus is available at http://www.westnile.ca.gov/ .