West Nile virus detected in Monterey County

For the first time since 2013, a bird has been detected with the West Nile virus in Monterey County.

The virus has been detected in the 93908 ZIP code region.

Monterey County Health Officials said West Nile has been present in the county since 2004. Birds are infected with West Nile usually through a bite of an infected mosquito. West Nile lives and spreads through birds. When a mosquito bites an infected bird, the mosquito picks up the virus and spreads it to another bird.
Health officials said people living or working in the area may have a greater chance of being bitten by a mosquito carrying West Nile virus.

“Monterey County residents should take precautions to protect themselves from mosquito bites,” states Monterey County Health Officer Dr. Edward Moreno. “West Nile virus can be a serious disease, particularly for the elderly and people with certain medical conditions like cancer, diabetes, and kidney disease.”

Symptoms of West Nile virus include fever, headache, joint pain, weakness, and body aches. In serious cases vision loss, seizures and paralysis can occur.

In 2016, 19 Californians died due to West Nile virus infections.

Health officials said the most effective ways to control mosquito populations and limit the spread of diseases like West Nile virus include:

— Use insect repellent containing DEET, picaradin, oil of lemon eucalyptus or IR 3535 according to label instructions. Repellents keep the mosquitoes from biting you. DEET can be used safely on infants and children 2 months of age and older.
— Wear clothing that reduces the risk of skin exposure.
— Make sure that your doors and windows have tight-fitting screens to keep out mosquitoes. Repair or replace screens with tears or holes.
— Drain any standing water around your home. Standing water pools can be breeding grounds for hundreds of thousands of mosquitoes.
— If you see standing water that you cannot empty or drain, or if you know of a neglected swimming pool, you can contact Mosquito Abatement District at 422-6438. The district provides free mosquito-eating fish.
— The Environmental Health Bureau (EHB) also responds to green swimming pools (public and private), which are safety hazards as well as potential mosquito breeding grounds. The public can call any EHB office to report a green pool: Salinas 831-755-4508, Monterey 831-647-7654, and King City 831-755-4505.
— Report dead birds and squirrels to the West Nile Virus Hotline at 1-877-WNV-Bird or www.westnile.ca.gov so that they may be tested for mosquito-borne viruses.
— Contact your local veterinarian for availability and prices for West Nile Virus immunization for horses.