LAKE COUNTY — County officials reminded residents to take precautions when spending time outdoors this weekend because West Nile virus is active throughout the country, including in Lake County.
Mosquitoes transmit the virus to humans and a variety of animals.
This year, 12 mosquito samples and two dead birds from Lake County tested positive for West Nile virus. No human cases have been reported in Lake County.
Officials from the Lake County Health Services and the Lake County Vector Control District (LCVCD) ask residents to eliminate all sources of standing water on their property, avoid being outside early morning and evening and use a federally registered insect repellent.
A total of 45 human cases of West Nile virus infection were reported in California this year. Less than 1 percent of people (about 1 in 150 people) infected with the virus will develop severe illness. There is no vaccine for humans.
Residents can request service, get mosquitofish or report neglected swimming pools to the LCVCD at 263-4770 or www.lcvcd.org.
For additional information on the virus, visit http://www.westnile.ca.gov, http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/wnv_factsheet.htm and http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/RepellentUpdates.htm.
