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County’s first West Nile Virus-positive mosquitoes of the season found
LAKEPORT, Calif. – A sample of mosquitoes collected last week south of Kelseyville has been confirmed as the first to test positive for West Nile Virus in Lake County his year.
“This is the earliest date that we have detected WNV activity in Lake County, and it may be a warning that this will be a very active year for WNV,” said Jamesina Scott, Ph.D., district manager and research director of the Lake County Vector Control District. “Last year we saw more WNV activity in Lake County than we had since 2005, and had the first human case since 2006.”
West Nile Virus has been detected in 17 California counties so far this year, mainly in mosquitoes and dead birds. One fatal human case was reported earlier this year in Sacramento County.
Over the years, Lake County has experienced few reported cases of WNV illness, but one case was reported to Lake County Health Services in 2012, local health officials reported.
West Nile Virus causes no symptoms in approximately 80 percent of people who catch the infection, officials reported. Up to 20 percent of people experience a variety of symptoms that range from fatigue, fever, headache, body aches, rash and even nausea and vomiting. Less than 1 percent of cases suffer severe illness, including neurologic effects that may be permanent, and some instances are fatal.
There is no specific treatment for the virus, so the best approach is to avoid exposure to mosquito bites, which is the means by which the virus is transmitted.
“Avoiding West Nile Virus requires only simple precautions, but they need to be followed consistently,” said Lake County Public Health Officer Karen Tait, M.D.
Officials encourage residents to protect themselves from mosquito bites by avoiding being outside at dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active, and to wear long sleeves and use an insect repellant containing an EPA-registered active ingredient like DEET, Picaridin, Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus, or IR353.
The Lake County Vector Control District traps and tests mosquitoes throughout the county to identify the areas that have the highest risk, and targets those areas for source reduction and treatment using an integrated vector management program.
“The mosquitoes that transmit WNV develop in backyard sources of standing water,” said Dr. Scott.
Scott encouraged residents to spend a few minutes in their yards this afternoon to look for standing water where mosquitoes develop. “You can dump out small containers of water like plastic wading pools or buckets.
For ornamental ponds, out-of-service swimming pools, and other water that you cannot drain, please call the District for free mosquito-eating fish. These are simple and environmentally friendly ways to prevent mosquitoes around your home,” she said. Out-of-service swimming pools and spas can be a major source of mosquitoes.
Residents are encouraged to contact the district to report neglected pools, request service for mosquito problems, or to get mosquito fish at 707-263-4770 or to fill out a service request online at www.lcvcd.org .
“Dead birds – especially jays, crows, and ravens – and tree squirrels are good indicators of WNV, and residents should report dead birds and tree squirrels to the state’s Dead Bird Hotline,” said Dr. Scott. “Our district gets immediate access to these reports and they help us locate potential hotspots and reduce the chance of human transmission.”
Residents can report dead birds and tree squirrels by calling 877-WNV-BIRD (877-968-2473) (toll-free) or online at the district’s Web site, http://www.lcvcd.org/ , where they can click on the “Report a Dead Bird” link in the right-hand column.
Residents with questions, or who would like help with a mosquito problem should contact the Lake County Vector Control District at 707-263-4770 or visit www.lcvcd.org .
For more information about West Nile Virus, visit http://www.westnile.ca.gov/ .