LAKEPORT >> A dead bird found in the city of Clearlake tested positive for West Nile virus (WNV). The bird, black-headed grosbeak, was picked up on June 23.
“West Nile virus activity picks up at this time of the year,” said Dr. Jamesina Scott, District Manager and Research Director of the Lake County Vector Control District. “This tells us that WNV is being transmitted by mosquitoes now, and we expect that activity will continue for the rest of the summer.”
No other West Nile virus has been detected in Lake County in 2017. Statewide, 17 California counties have detected the virus this year, including three human cases in Kern, Kings, and Los Angeles Counties.
During the July 4 holiday, many people will be outside during dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are biting. Scott suggests using an insect repellent that contains Picaridin, DEET, IR3535, Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus, or PMD on exposed skin, and consider wearing long sleeved shirts and pants to prevent mosquito bites.
Lake County Health Officer, Dr. Karen Tait, recommends avoidance of mosquito bites as the best protection against West Nile.
“The risk of serious illness is small, but best avoided,” she observed. “People over age 50 and those with diabetes or hypertension are at the greatest risk for complications.”
The mosquitoes that transmit West Nile develop in out-of-service swimming pools and spas, animal watering troughs, ornamental ponds, and other sources of standing water. The District offers free mosquito-eating fish to control mosquitoes in these sources.
Residents are encouraged to contact the District to report neglected pools, request service for mosquito problems, or to get mosquito fish at 263-4770 or to fill out a service request online at www.lcvcd.org.
Residents are urged to help reduce their risk of contracting mosquito-borne diseases by following these guidelines:
Report dead birds to the toll-free state hotline: 1-877-968-2473 or online at http://www.westnile.ca.gov/report_wnv.php.
Dump or drain standing water. Mosquitoes grow in standing water.
Defend yourself with mosquito repellents containing Picaridin, DEET, IR3535, Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus, or PMD.
Avoid being outdoors when mosquitoes are biting, typically dawn and dusk.
Maintain swimming pools. Just one neglected pool can produce more than 1 million mosquitoes and affect people up to five miles away.
The Lake County Vector Control District traps and tests mosquitoes throughout the county to identify the areas that have the highest risk, and targets those areas for source reduction and treatment using an integrated vector management program.
Residents with questions, or who would like help with a mosquito problem should contact the Lake County Vector Control District at 263-4770 or visit their website at www.lcvcd.org. For more information about West Nile virus, visit http://www.westnile.ca.gov/.
Information about mosquito repellents can be found on the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website at http://www.cdc.gov/westnile/faq/repellent.html.
