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Stanislaus County – The Stanislaus County Health Services Agency
has announced the death of a 63-year-old man from West Nile Virus. This
unfortunate event is Stanislaus County’s first death from West Nile
Virus.
The Agency has also announced three additional confirmed human cases
of West Nile virus in Stanislaus County. The three cases include an 81
year-old male and a 53 year-old female, with West Nile Virus fever, and
an 82-year old female with neuro-invasive disease. There have been 85
confirmed human cases of West Nile virus in Stanislaus County in 2005.
The attached graph shows date of onset, by week. Affected persons have
ranged in age from 3 to 95, with the average age being 52. The cases are
distributed evenly among males and females.
Dr. John Walker, Stanislaus County Public Health Officer said, “We
are grieved to learn that one of our county residents has succumbed to
this infection. We are clearly on the down slope of this outbreak; however,
the risks persist.”
Jerry Davis, Manager of the Turlock Mosquito Abatement Districts says,
“West Nile virus infection has been documented in every zip code
within this county. We continue to test and spray. Activity has decreased,
but the risk of being bitten by an infected mosquito is still here.”
“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.”
With recent rainy weather, people are encouraged to check their homes
to remove any standing water. Water that stands for four days or longer
can provide mosquitoes a place to breed.
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.
Stanislaus County has a West Nile virus hotline in English and Spanish.
The number has recorded information on the disease. The public can call
(209) 558-8425. You can find WNV information on the Health Services Agency
website at www.hsahealth.org.
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.
The public may also submit the information via the web site www.westnile.ca.gov
It is a good health practice never to handle any dead animals with your
bare hands. There is currently no evidence that the West Nile Virus can
be transmitted to humans that have taken precautions when handling dead
birds.
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