Stanislaus County – The Stanislaus County Health Services Agency has announced 3 additional confirmed human cases of West Nile Virus (WNV) infection in Stanislaus County. All three cases resulted in West Nile Fever and did not require hospitalization. The cases were confirmed in an 8-year-old female, a 36-year-old female, and a 48-year-old male.

There are now 8 confirmed cases of WNV infection in humans in Stanislaus County, and 142 statewide. The California Department of Health Services reported two deaths due to WNV infection so far this year, one in Butte County and the other in Contra Costa County.

“Clearly our county has fewer infections compared to last year; however it’s too soon to let our guard down,” said Dr. John Walker, Stanislaus County Public Health Officer. “This time last year there were already 63 confirmed cases in humans. Nevertheless, 17 of our ill persons last year were infected after Labor Day, including one county resident who died.”

According to the California Department of Health Services, a review of data collected at their Viral and Rickettsial Disease Laboratory in Richmond indicate that people with diabetes and/or hypertension are at increased risk to develop more serious complications from WNV. Others at a higher risk include people over the age of 50.

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.