West Nile virus detected in Stanislaus County

Both the Turlock Mosquito Abatement District and the East Side Mosquito Abatement District have confirmed the presence of West Nile virus in Stanislaus County, but there have been no human cases yet.

The Turlock Mosquito Abatement District found the virus in a mosquito sample on Monday.

Statewide, West Nile virus was detected in 10 counties on Friday. Statewide, it was found in 31 mosquito samples and 31 dead birds. There have been no human cases so far.

Officials believe the late rains will lead to an active mosquito season this year.

“The late rains and rising temperatures will accelerate the development of West Nile virus in the Central Valley,” said David Heft, chief executive of Turlock MAD. “We urge residents to throw out and empty all items around their homes that may contain standing water and to use repellent when outdoors at dawn and dusk.”

Mosquitoes become infected with West Nile virus when they feed on infected birds. Infected mosquitoes can then transmit West Nile virus to humans and other animals when they bite. according to the Centers for Disease Control.

About 1 in 5 people infected with West Nile virus will develop symptoms such as fever, headache, body aches, joint pain, vomiting, diarrhea or rash. Less than 1% will develop a serious neurological disease such as encephalitis or meningitis (inflammation of the brain or surrounding tissues). About 10% of people who develop a neurological infection from West Nile virus will die, according to the CDC. People over 50 and those with certain medical conditions, such as cancer, diabetes, hypertension, kidney disease and organ transplants, are at higher risk for serious illness.

There are no medications to treat or vaccines to prevent West Nile virus infection. People with milder illnesses usually recover on their own, although symptoms can last for several weeks or months. In the neuroinvasive forms, patients can suffer from severe and sometimes long-term symptoms.

Mosquitoes like to breed in standing water, preferring weedy areas that provide cover. Dairy farm lagoons make perfect breeding grounds, but so do flooded fields, unmaintained swimming pools, urban sumps, over-watered lawns, and just about anything that retains water and allows it to to stagnate.

Districts will continue their treatment and surveillance programs by identifying sources of mosquito breeding and mosquito-borne disease activity. They will perform treatments based on their monitoring results. Districts remind residents that they can help by taking the following precautions:

• Empty or drain standing water. These are places where mosquitoes like to lay their eggs.

• Defend against mosquitoes by using repellents containing DEET, picaridin or lemon eucalyptus oil.

• Avoid being outdoors at dusk and dawn. These are the times when mosquitoes carrying WNV are usually most active.

• Report neglected pools to your local mosquito control district.

• Use well-fitting door and window screens to keep mosquitoes out of your home.

• Contact your veterinarian for information on vaccinating horses against WNV.

For more information or to request service, Turlock residents should contact the Turlock Mosquito Abatement District at (209) 634-1234 or (www.turlockmosquito.org).

Reporting and testing dead birds is an important step in West Nile virus prevention. A confirmed case of the virus in samples from dead birds or mosquitoes helps identify areas that need treatment to reduce mosquito activity. To report a dead bird, call the California State Hotline at 1-877-WNV-BIRD or report it online at www.westnile.ca.gov. Birds of particular interest are ravens, ravens, magpies, jays and raptors (hawk or eagle).