First human West Nile virus cases in Merced County traced to the City of Merced
Merced County’s first confirmed human West Nile virus infections of the year were traced to the City of Merced, according to Merced County Mosquito Abatement District news release.
The two infected individuals, both women aged 60-80, likely contracted the disease in mid-August, according to the Merced County Department of Public Health.
As of Aug. 21, human West Nile virus cases tally 27 in California. The disease is most typically transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito.
The leading cause of mosquito-borne disease nationally, West Nile virus has no preventative vaccine or medications to treat it in people, according to the Center for Disease Control. Infections occur summer through fall during mosquito season.
Most people infected with the virus do not feel sick, the CDC says. About one in five people who contract the disease develop a fever and other symptoms.
Symptoms include a high fever, headache, muscle stiffness or weakness and disorientation. A full list of symptoms can be found on the CDC’s website.
Recovery can take several weeks or months, but some effects to the central nervous system may be permanent. About one in 150 infected individuals develop a serious, sometimes fatal, case of West Nile virus.
The virus was first detected in Merced County this year in June, when mosquito and dead bird samples tested positive.
In addition to Merced County’s two recent human cases, West Nile virus this year has been detected in 14 sentinel chickens, 40 mosquito pooled samples, two dead birds and one horse, the release said.
Reporting and testing dead birds is crucial to preventing West Nile virus, on account of the disease initially being brought into the area by infected birds. Deceased birds can be reported by calling the California State Hotline at 1-877-WNV-BIRD or at www.westnile.gov.
The Mosquito Abatement District encourages residents to reduce West Nile virus by eliminating standing water where mosquitoes breed, avoiding spending time outside during dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active and applying insect repellent containing DEET when outdoors.
Breeding sources are actively being treated with ground or aerial spray equipment by the local Mosquito Abatement District. Neglected swimming pools are especially of concern, the release said.
Mosquito breeding problem areas can be reported by contacting the Merced County Mosquito Abatement District at 209-722-1527 or at www.mcmosquito.org. Reports can be anonymous.
