WOODLAND >> Two people have apparently contracted West Nile virus, Yolo County officials reported, even as aerial spraying to kill infected mosquitoes was scheduled to being Tuesday Night.
The Yolo County Health Department confirmed Monday that two residents have tested positive for West Nile virus.
While both residents are symptom-free, West Nile virus can pose a serious health risk, according to Yolo County Public Information Officer Beth Gabor.
The specific cities of residence for the two patients was not reported.
West Nile virus is most commonly spread to humans through the bite of a mosquito. Mosquitoes become infected when they feed on infected birds. Infected mosquitoes can then spread the virus to humans and other animals.
West Nile virus can cause fever, inflammation of the brain or inflammation of the lining of the brain and spinal cord.
Gabor reported that most people — between 70 percent and 80 percent — who become infected with West Nile virus do not develop any symptoms. However, about 1 in 5 of those infected will develop a fever with other symptoms such as headache, body aches, joint pains, vomiting, diarrhea, or rash.
Fewer than 1 percent of people who are infected will develop a serious illness, Gabor reported.
The announcement came after last weeks warning from the Sacramento-Yolo Mosquito and Vector Control District that the summer heat is increasing the risk of mosquitoes will carry the virus. District officials also stated they were deciding whether to spray for infected mosquitoes within the entire Woodland city limits.
Although spraying for mosquitoes has been taking place countywide over recent weeks and within Woodland city parks and other selected sites, health authorities have started finding more infected birds and bugs, increasing the risk that people could, in turn, be infected with West Nile virus.
District officials stated that “widespread activity has been found in Woodland, Davis, Knights Landing and Dunnigan.”
Aside from the confirmed human cases, 73 mosquito samples and 26 dead birds have tested positive for West Nile virus. Only last Friday the number of mosquito samples testing for West Nile was reported at 52, and the number of dead birds was placed at 20.
