Santa Cruz Co. Logs First 2016 Case Of West Nile Virus; Dead Bird Tests Positive

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, CA -- A dead bird recently tested positive for West Nile virus in Santa Cruz County, marking the county's first confirmed case this year, public health officials said Wednesday.

The bird was discovered near Nobel Drive in the Upper West Side area of Santa Cruz, which means there are mosquitoes in the area with the infection, county public health officials said.

Technicians from the county's Mosquito and Vector Control District have been sent to the area, where they'll look for any infected mosquitoes and breeding sources, according to public health officials.

There have been no reported human cases of the virus statewide so far this year. A person can catch the virus from an infected mosquito, but not through contact with other people or animals, public health officials
said.

The public is advised to drain any standing water where mosquitoes breed, to wear long sleeves and pants while outdoors and to avoid going outside during the dawn and dusk hours when mosquitoes are most active.

A vaccine is available for horses, who can fall ill and die if infected, while cats and dogs appear to be resistant to the virus, public health officials said.

Anyone who finds a dead bird or dead squirrel, which may indicate the virus is in the area, can make a report by calling (877) 968-2473 or visiting http://www.westnile.ca.gov.

Three D’s of Protection

To prevent exposure to mosquito bites and WNV, California public health officials recommend practicing the a technique called the “Three D’s.”

• The first D is for DEET, which is to remind people to apply insect repellant containing ingredients such as DEET, picaradin, oil of lemon eucalyptus or IR3535, which all can keep mosquitoes from biting people, health department officials said.
• The second D stands for dawn and dusk, which serves to caution residents to wear proper clothing and repellant at these times, because that is when mosquitoes are more likely to bite, according to health department officials.
• The last D is for drain, which is to prompt people to eliminate all sources of standing water in their yards, such as flowerpots, old car tires and buckets, because mosquitoes normally lay their eggs in standing water.

Also see: Calif. Wildfire Status Report: Containment Growing on Many Fires, But Increased Risk Ahead, Cal Fire Says

--Bay City News contributed to this post/Patch file photo