MODESTO BEE
ORIGINAL ARTICLE

By TIM MORAN
BEE STAFF WRITER
Last Updated: June 21, 2006, 06:04:23 AM PDT

West Nile virus has arrived in Stanislaus County for a new season with a single mosquito detected near Grayson.

The mosquito, collected June 12, was the first of the 719 collected by the Turlock Mosquito Abatement District this year to test positive.

Mosquitoes spread the virus from birds to humans and horses.

The chances of getting West Nile virus are relatively small, said Dr. John Walker, Stanislaus County health officer. "But if you do, it's a severe illness."

Last year, Stanislaus County had 95 cases of West Nile virus in humans, out of a population of more than 500,000. About 7 percent of those infected did not experience symptoms, Walker said. The virus was found when they donated blood.

Most of those infected with West Nile virus don't show symptoms, so they don't show up in statistics, Walker said.

Of the reported cases, 71 percent developed West Nile fever, which is like "the worst case of flu you've ever had," Walker said. Symptoms can last up to six weeks.

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