LAKEPORT, Calif. – Lake County health officials said they are investigating a possible human case of West Nile virus, while there also have been new detections of the virus in chickens and mosquito samples.
The Lake County Public Health Department is evaluating the case, which is potentially the first West Nile infection involving a human so far this year in the county.
If laboratory tests eventually confirm this case, it is likely that the infection would have been contracted in the last week of July, officials said.
“Avoidance of mosquito bites is the only way to prevent West Nile virus infection and this is the time of year when it is especially important to take protective measures,” Lake County Health Officer Dr. Karen Tait said.
Since 2004, eight Lake County residents have been diagnosed with West Nile virus, officials reported. Two human cases were reported last year.
In addition, the Lake County Vector Control District confirmed that two chickens and seven mosquito samples tested positive for West Nile virus this week, with public health officials also investigating a possible human case.
The chickens are from Upper Lake, and the mosquitoes were collected in Clearlake, Clearlake Oaks, Kelseyville, Lakeport and Upper Lake, the district reported.
So far in 2016, West Nile virus has been detected in 29 mosquito samples, thee dead birds and two sentinel chickens in Lake County, according to the district's latest report.
“We’re at the peak of West Nile virus activity now. In most years West Nile virus activity remains high in September throughout California, including Lake County,” explained Jamesina Scott, Ph.D., district manager and research director for the Lake County Vector Control District.
“The mosquitoes that carry West Nile virus come from backyard water sources like wading pools, ponds, buckets, swimming pools and spas that aren’t being maintained, and any other place where water sits for more than three days,” said Scott.
Residents are urged to help reduce their risk of contracting mosquito-borne diseases by following these guidelines:
– Dump or drain standing water. Mosquitoes can't begin their lives without water.
– Defend yourself. Use repellents containing DEET, Picaridin, IR3535, or Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus.
– Avoid being outdoors when mosquitoes are present, typically dawn and dusk.
– Maintain swimming pools and spas. Just one unmaintained swimming pool can produce more than 1 million mosquitoes and affect people up to five miles away.
– Report dead birds to the state hotline, 877-968-2473, or by visiting the California Department of Public Health's Web site ( http://www.westnile.ca.gov/report_wnv.php ). All reports are crucial to the West Nile virus surveillance program.
For a current list of West Nile virus activity in Lake County this year, visit the Lake County Vector Control District's Web site, www.LCVCD.org , and for statewide information, visit the California Department of Public Health’s West Nile Virus Web site at http://www.westnile.ca.gov/ .
The Lake County Vector Control District, an independent special district and public health agency, serves all of Lake County and is located at 410 Esplanade in Lakeport.
Call the district at 707-263-4770 or request service online at http://www.LCVCD.org/Services/RequestService/index.html for mosquito problems, or visit the office between 7:30 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday to get free mosquitofish for ornamental ponds, livestock water troughs or neglected swimming pools.
Possible human West Nile virus case investigated in Lake County; new mosquito samples, chickens test positive
- Lake County News reports
- Posted On