San Benito County’s preeminent health official, Dr. Elizabeth
Falade, on Friday addressed the likelihood of the West Nile virus
spreading into the county, which maintains no established agency to
specifically combat it.
San Benito County’s preeminent health official, Dr. Elizabeth Falade, on Friday addressed the likelihood of the West Nile virus spreading into the county, which maintains no established agency to specifically combat it.
County health officials met Wednesday night to discuss education efforts and how the county will address the potential problem. The health officer also released a warning of the potential, along with preventative measures against the disease, as it presumably spreads into San Benito County.
“Arrival of West Nile virus seems likely here in San Benito County,” she said in the warning. “So the best way to avoid the disease is to reduce exposure to and eliminate breeding grounds for mosquitoes.”
West Nile virus is spread by mosquitoes. The disease afflicts the brain and central nervous system, and possible but rare inflammation of the brain could cause death, according to the Center for Disease Control. It mostly affects humans, birds and horses, according to the CDC. Only one in about 150 people bitten by an infected mosquito will become severely ill and relatively few mosquitos actually carry the virus.
Originating in Africa, it first hit the East Coast of the United States in 1999. It has since gradually spread toward the West Coast and San Benito County.
With no agency assigned to the West Nile issue, San Benito could always request help – if needed – from surrounding counties, officials say. There have been educational sessions open to the public; they will continue.
Regardless, the public should be aware this problem is coming, she said. The disease killed 262 Americans last year.
