Residents of two counties contract West Nile virus.

The Stanislaus County Department of Health reported that two Stanislaus County residents tested positive for West Nile virus.

Both were adult men and had no symptoms.

“Most mosquito populations remain mild to moderate in most areas, but of concern are the above average mosquito numbers found in the West Nile virus at the beginning of the season. If temperatures continue to rise “It also increases mosquito populations and viral activity,” said David Heft, Turlock Mosquito Exclusion Zone Manager.

Mosquitoes get the West Nile virus when they eat infected birds. According to Centers for Disease Control, infected mosquitoes can spread West Nile virus to humans and other animals when bitten.

About 1 in 5 people infected with West Nile virus develop symptoms such as fever, headache, body aches, arthralgia, vomiting, diarrhea and rash. Less than 1 percent develop severe neurological disorders such as encephalitis and meningitis (inflammation of the brain and surrounding tissues). According to the CDC, about 10% of people who have a West Nile virus-induced nerve infection die. People over the age of 50 and those with certain medical conditions such as cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure, kidney disease, and organ transplants are at increased risk of serious illness.

There is no cure or vaccine to prevent West Nile virus infection. Symptoms can last for weeks or months, but people with mild illness usually recover spontaneously. In the neuroinvasive form, patients can suffer from severe, and sometimes long-term, symptoms.

People over the age of 50 are more likely to get sick and more likely to develop serious illness when infected with WNV. Studies also show that people with diabetes and/or hypertension are at greatest risk of serious illness.

“We need to remember to protect ourselves from mosquito bites as the summer comes,” said Dr. Julie Weishampayan, Stanislaus County Public Health Officer. “Because there are no vaccines or specific treatments, it is very important that people take all the necessary precautions to protect themselves and their families.”

The Turlock Mosquito and Eastside Mosquito Abatement districts have already confirmed the West Nile virus detection on May 26, but since then the districts have collected above-average amounts of WNV-infected mosquito samples in each district throughout the year. I continue. As of June 13, WNV has been detected in 10 counties in California, and WNV activity has been confirmed in a sample of 8 birds and 48 mosquitoes. There are no dead birds in Stanislaus County, but there are 19 WNV mosquito samples.

The district will continue a surveillance program that identifies the source of mosquitoes and the activity of mosquito-borne diseases. Based on the results of the surveillance data, reduce the risk of West Nile virus infection and other mosquito-borne diseases by utilizing airborne and ground applications as needed.

The district anticipates more WNV and mosquitoes in the coming months, and we would like to call attention to residents who can help by taking the following precautions.

— Discard or drain standing water. This is the place where mosquitoes want to lay eggs.

— Protect yourself from mosquitoes using repellents containing DEET, picaridine, or oil

Lemon eucalyptus.

— Avoid being outdoors in the evening and dawn. These are the times when WNV carries

Mosquitoes are generally the most active.

— Report the abandoned pool to your local mosquito control area.

— Use snug door and window screens to keep mosquitoes out.

House.

Contact your veterinarian for information on equine vaccination against WNV.

Residents must contact their local Stanislaus County resident for additional information or service requests.

・North of Tuolumne River contact: Eastside Mosquito Abatement District ((209)522-4098 (www.eastsidemosquito.com))

・Contacts on the south side of the Tuolumne River: Turlock Mosquito Abatement District ((209)634-1234 (www.turlockmosquito.org))