Lake County has 24 species of mosquitoes. With the exception of their annoying bite, most don’t carry disease and are harmless. However there are several of the Culex species that will transmit the West Nile Virus (WNV). There is another virus that causes heartworm in dogs and which is spread by the Western Treehole mosquito. Both types are common in Lake County. Backyard ponds and bird baths are breeding places for the Culex species and the Treehole mosquito breeds in hollow trees which hold water.
According to Jamesina Scott of the Lake County Vector Control District, West Nile Virus is an agent of West Nile fever and can be contracted by humans. The disease causes flu-like systems and include fever, headache, body aches, skin rash and swollen lymph glands. Most people infected with the West Nile virus have no signs or symptoms. About 20 percent of people develop a mild infection called West Nile fever. In less than 1 percent of infected people, the virus causes a serious neurological infection.
In 2014 Lake County had only one confirmed case of West Nile Virus in human. Statewide here more than 500 cases with 29 deaths.
West Nile Virus was first discovered in America in 1999 when it was found in the Bronx Zoo. Since then it has spread across the country. The way it is spread is that female mosquitoes feed on infected birds and transfer the virus to another warm blooded animal. Only a few animals are carriers of the virus and they are mostly birds such as crows and ravens. Humans can contact the virus but can’t pass it on.
Scott says one of the best ways to control the mosquitoes is with mosquitofish which the District will provide free. The fish will eat the larva the mosquitoes deposit. The District has ponds just outside of Lakeport to raise the mosquitofish. She said that local residents should also drain their ponds and bird baths to prevent the mosquitoes from laying their eggs.
The Treehole mosquito is found throughout the county and old oak trees that have cavities which hold water are the primary breeding areas. The mosquito carries the heartworm virus which can be deadly for dogs. The disease can be prevented by giving heartworm preventative medication which can be obtained from a veterinarian.
Anyone having questions about mosquitoes or the virus can contact Vector Control at (707) 263-4770.
