MODESTO BEE

Last Updated: August 25, 2005, 06:48:35 AM PDT

A 48-year-old man from Stanislaus County is in critical condition after being diagnosed with the West Nile virus, according to health officials. The county's Health Services Agency announced Wednesday that he was among eight more people diagnosed with the disease, bringing to 41 the number of confirmed human cases in the county. Health officials did not disclose any more information about the man. The new cases involve four males and four females whose ages range from 22 to 64. Five have West Nile fever, and two presented no symptoms, health officials said. "It's clear that our epidemic may not have peaked yet," said Dr. John Walker, the county's public health officer. "It's important that our county residents continue to take the necessary precautions to protect themselves." Meanwhile, spot spraying continues in some areas, though no large-scale efforts are scheduled. Officials with the East Side Mosquito Abatement District said a mechanical problem kept them from completing spraying efforts earlier this week, so they sprayed an area north of Scenic Drive and west of Claus Road early Wednesday. "We will be doing small areas as needed on a quick basis to be able to get the mosquitoes on the perimeters," said Lloyd Douglass, general manager of the district. For more information, call the West Nile hotline at 558-8425 or www.hsahealth.org

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