San Benito County Public Health Services received confirmation
Aug. 23 that a dead American crow found in Hollister tested
positive for West Nile Virus.
San Benito County Public Health Services received confirmation Aug. 23 that a dead American crow found in Hollister tested positive for West Nile Virus.
This is the first evidence of the presence of the virus in San Benito County this year, according to the health department. There have been no reported human cases of the virus in San Benito County.
The Agricultural Commissioner is surveying sources of mosquitoes in the area and is taking appropriate actions to curtail mosquito breeding. Mosquito trapping and testing for the presence of West Nile Virus is also being done.
“The risk of serious illness to humans is low,” said Dr. Liz Falade, Health Officer for San Benito County. “Most individuals who are infected with WNV will not experience any illness.”
Between 10 percent to 15 percent of infected individuals will have only mild to moderate symptoms, such as fever, headache and body aches. Less than 1 percent of individuals will develop serious neurological illnesses such as encephalitis and meningitis. The elderly and those with lowered immune systems are more susceptible to serious illness.
WNV is transmitted to humans and animals through a mosquito bite. Mosquitoes become infected when they feed on infected birds. Dr. Falade urges all San Benito County citizens to reduce their risk of mosquito-borne diseases by taking these precautions:
· Drain standing water weekly in places where mosquitoes lay eggs. Check flowerpots, buckets, toys, leaky water faucets, scrap tires, clogged rain gutters, bird baths and kiddie pools.
· Check the screens on your doors and windows to make sure they have tight-fitting screens. Repair any holes or rips so mosquitoes cannot get into your home.
· Limit outdoor activities at dusk and dawn and take precautions to prevent bites when mosquitoes are most active.
· Apply long lasting insect repellent with the ingredient DEET (N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide) or Picaridan (KBR 3023) according to the label’s instructions. Oil of lemon eucalyptus (p-methane diol, or PMD) is another alternative that provides protection similar to repellents with low concentrations of DEET against mosquitoes found in the United States.
· Schedule pasture irrigation to minimize standing water.
· Keep swimming pools optimally chlorinated and drain water from covers.
· Stock open water tanks with fish that consume mosquito larvae or use mosquito dunks available at hardware stores. Mosquito fish can be obtained from the Union Road 4-H club. Call 831/637-7923 for more information.
· Dress in long sleeves and pants when outside during dawn and dusk or in areas where mosquitoes are active.
If you notice a significant mosquito problem were you live or work, contact the San Benito County Agricultural Commissioner at 831-637-5344.
For health-related questions or concerns, please contact San Benito County Public Health Services at 831-637-5367.
Since horses are susceptible to WNV and a vaccine is available for horses, horse owners are advised to contact their veterinarians about timely vaccinations.
To report dead birds (intact and dead less than 24 hours) for testing call 1-877-WNV-BIRD. The state will then notify San Benito County staff to collect the bird for testing if warranted. The health department requests that residents report the exact location where the bird was found.
San Benito County Environmental Health staff has been collecting dead birds for testing. Environmental Health has received very few complaints about mosquito activity in the county, but has responded and advised residents and businesses about mosquito abatement as necessary.
For more information about WNV in California or to report dead birds online, visit the California Department of Health Services Web site at www.westnile.ca.gov. For local information the San Benito County Public Health Services web site is www.sanbenitoco.org.
