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2007-8-30 13:55:26 |
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As of Friday July 27, 42 people from 12 counties in the state of California have been confirmed to suffer West Nile virus, according to WestNile.ca.gov. At this time of 2006, only 16 human cases were reported. The real case number of West Nile virus infections could be more than 200 because often times only 20 percent of those who are infected experience any symptoms and only those with symptoms are subject to lab testing and get reported to the state. Last week, California saw an increase of 15 new human cases of West Nile virus with two from Butte; one from Colusa; two from Fresno; one from Imperial; six from Kern; one from Shasta; one from Sonoma; and one from Stanislaus county. The counties where human cases of West Nile were reported for the first time in 2007 include Butte, Fresno, Imperial, Shasta, and Sonoma. For Colusa, the human case was the first indication of any West Nile virus activity in the county. In all, 38 counties have reported West Nile virus activity so far this year compared to 30 for 2006. The county that has been hit hardest by the virus is Kern where 28 people and 103 mosquito samples were found with the virus. To date, two people in the state have died from complications associated with West Nile virus. The second fatality was an 85-year-old Kern County man and the first was an elderly Kern County woman as reported July 13, according to an announcement released July 24 by the California Department of Public Health. Most people do not have any clinical symptoms after infection with West Nile. But elderly people, young children and those whose immune systems are compromised are susceptible to West Nile illness. People get West Nile virus mostly through a bite of a mosquito infected with the virus. California provides its residents the following advice on how to prevent from West Nile infection. Apply insect repellent containing DEET, picaradin or oil of lemon eucalyptus, according to label instructions. Ensure doors and windows have tight-fitting screens. Repair or replace screens that have tears or holes. Eliminate all sources of standing water that can support mosquito breeding. Wear clothing that reduces the risk of skin exposure and avoid spending time outside at dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active. . ### . Copyright 2007 foodconsumer.org . All rights reserved. Foodconsumer.org publishes daily news and reports on food and diet, some of which are not available from the mainstream news media. This article can be used by individuals and organizations for not-for-profit purposes without prior express permission from foodconsumer.org on condition that this article including the author and this copyright note should be used in entirety without alteration. |
