| Stanislaus
County – The Stanislaus County Health Services Agency has announced
three additional confirmed human cases of West Nile virus in Stanislaus
County. The three cases include: a 20-year old male hospitalized in fair
condition with West Nile neuroinvasive disease; a 73 year-old male hospitalized
in critical condition with the West Nile neuroinvasive disease; and a 49
year-old male with West Nile fever. There have been 69 confirmed human cases
of West Nile virus in Stanislaus County in 2005.
“The majority of our cases do not recall being bitten by a mosquito,”
stated Dr. Walker. “It’s not enough for people just to be
on the lookout for mosquitoes. People need to continue precautions such
as using repellant with DEET, or the two new agents approved by the FDA;
one contains picaridin and the other oil of lemon eucalyptus. All three
preparations are available locally.”
West Nile virus is not spread from person-to-person. WNV is transmitted
to humans and animals through a mosquito bite. Mosquitoes become infected
when they feed on infected birds. People typically develop symptoms from
2 – 15 days after they are bitten by an infected mosquito.
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