Earlier this month, Santa Barbara County officials reported that a bird had tested positive for west Nile virus in the Santa Ynez area. The bird, which was submitted for testing by the Mosquito and Vector Management District, marked the county’s first instance of west Nile virus this year.
“This is not unexpected,” Dr. Elliot Schulman, health officer and director of the Santa Barbara Public Health Department, said in a release to the media. “Summer is the time when mosquito activity increases. It’s a good reminder for us all to take steps to avoid mosquito bites.”
According to the release, west Nile virus is transmitted to humans and animals through mosquito bites. The insects become infected when they feed on infected birds. However, human-to-human transmission of the virus doesn’t happen.
To reduce the risk of mosquito-borne diseases, the county recommends avoiding spending time outside when mosquitoes are most active, especially at dawn and dusk; wearing long pants and long-sleeved shirts when outside; applying insect repellent; making sure doors and windows have tight-fitting screens; repairing or replacing screens that have tears or holes; and eliminating sources of standing water that can support mosquito breeding.
According to the release, most people who are infected with the virus won’t experience any symptoms. Others will have only mild reactions, such as a fever, headache, and body aches. However, west Nile virus can be severe in the elderly and individuals with lowered immune systems.
For more information about the virus, visit the Santa Barbara County Public Health Department website at sbcphd.org or go to westnile.ca.gov.
This article appears in Jul 16-23, 2009.