Nearby Monterey Co. Records Its First Human West Nile Virus Case In 4 Years

MONTEREY COUNTY, CA – Monterey County has recorded its first human case of West Nile virus in four years, public health officials announced Wednesday.

The resident may have been exposed to the virus while traveling within the county or Central Valley, public health officials said.

The individual was treated at a hospital and is recovering from the virus, according to public health officials.

The county's last human case of the virus was in 2012 when a person contracted the virus while out of state, public health officials said.

"This West Nile virus infection in Monterey County reminds us that we must take precautions to protect ourselves and our families from all mosquito bites," Monterey County Health Officer Dr. Edward Moreno said a statement.

In Santa Cruz County, the first positive sample of West Nile virus this summer in a group of mosquitoes was collected in July. Story here: Santa Cruz County Records First Positive Evidence Of West Nile Virus.

About 70 to 80 percent of people infected with the virus don't experience the symptoms such as a fever, headache or body aches, public health officials said.

Less than 1 percent of those infected will develop serious illnesses such as meningitis, according to public health officials.

As of Friday, the virus has been found in 36 counties and there were 199 human cases, four of which turned fatal, public health officials said.

The public is advised to wear insect repellent and long sleeves, especially during the dawn and dusk hours when mosquitoes are most active, public health officials said.

Residents can also make sure their door and window screens are tightly fitted and dispose of any pools of standing water where mosquitoes tend to lay their eggs, according to public health officials.

Anyone looking to report mosquito problems, green swimming pools or standing water is asked to call the North Salinas Valley Mosquito Abatement District at (831) 422-6438.

Any reports of dead birds or dead squirrels, which could be a sign of West Nile virus activity, can be made by calling (877) 968-2473 or visiting http://www.westnile.ca.gov.

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