STANISLAUS – The Stanislaus County Health Services Agency has announced two additional confirmed human cases of West Nile Virus (WNV) infection in Stanislaus County. WNV was confirmed in a 39 year-old female and an 8 year-old male. Both had West Nile Fever and neither required hospitalization. The illnesses do not appear to be related.

“Although West Nile Fever is the less severe form of the disease, it is still quite debilitating,” said Trudi Prevette, Communicable Disease Nurse, who monitors the progress of affected county residents. “Many of the patients report symptoms of severe weakness for weeks to months. People of all ages are at risk, as demonstrated by the 8-year-old boy who became ill.”

There are now 5 confirmed cases of WNV infection in humans in Stanislaus County so far this year, and 90 statewide.

WNV is not spread person-to-person and approximately 80 percent of those who are infected will have no symptoms. The virus is transmitted to humans and animals through a mosquito bite. Mosquitoes become infected when they feed on infected birds.

These simple steps can help people protect themselves and others from mosquito bites and WNV:

• Eliminate sources of standing water. During warm weather, mosquitoes can breed within four days. Change the water in pet dishes and regularly replace water in birdbaths. Drill holes in tire swings so water can drain.
• Avoid spending time outside when mosquitoes are most active, at dawn and dusk, and especially for the first two hours after sunset.
• When outdoors, wear long pants, long-sleeved shirts and other protective clothing.
• Exclude mosquitoes from your home with tight fitting screens on doors and windows.
• Apply insect repellent containing the active ingredient DEET when outdoors, according to label instructions.
• In addition to DEET-based products, the CDC has recently recommended insect repellants containing oil of lemon eucalyptus and Picaridin.

For more information, call the West Nile virus hotline at (209) 558-8425 to hear recorded information in both English and Spanish. You can also visit www.stanemergency.com for WNV information. The website includes maps showing locations of WNV-infected mosquito samples, dead birds, and horses.

Report mosquito infestations to the East Side Mosquito Abatement District at (209) 522-4098 or the Turlock Mosquito Abatement District at (209) 634-1234. The State of California is still requesting that residents of Stanislaus County report dead birds to the state hotline at 1-877-WNV-BIRD. Birds of particular interest to the state are crows, ravens, magpies, jays and raptors (hawk or eagle). The public may also submit the information via the web site www.westnile.ca.gov.