MODESTO BEE

By Phoebe Leung
Last Updated: August 31, 2007, 12:00:00 AM PDT

STANISLAUS COUNTY – With the lingering heat and the farm harvest, the threat of West Nile Virus is persisting throughout Stanislaus County. Health officials are urging everyone to take precautions to protect themselves from mosquito bites and prevent West Nile Virus infection.
“The recent warm weather and calm winds have created just the right environment for mosquito breeding in our communities,” said Jerry Davis, Director of the Turlock Mosquito Abatement District. “Everyone needs to be aware of this as they head outdoors to enjoy the Labor Day Holiday Weekend, and they need to wear insect repellent anytime they go outdoors.”

Insect repellant is especially important when mosquitoes are most active just after sundown and just before sunrise. To be effective, repellent should contain DEET, Picaridin, or lemon oil of Eucalyptus. When you must go outdoors, wear long pants and sleeves, and other protective clothing to prevent mosquito bites.

“When farm crops are harvested, mosquitoes are also displaced into and around homes in more populated areas,” said Lloyd Douglas, Director of the Eastside Mosquito Abatement District. “Now would be an excellent time to check your property for any areas that might attract mosquitoes looking for a new home.”

The best way to keep your environment clear of mosquito-breeding areas is to simply eliminate sources of standing water. Some examples of this include: not over-watering your lawn or garden, changing water in pet dishes and bird baths on a regular basis, and dumping any standing water out of backyard toys, flower pots and garbage cans.

Health officials announced an additional eight confirmed reports of WNV infection in people in Stanislaus County, reaching a total of 12 for this year. They include eight males and four females all between the ages of 42- and 79-years-old. The infections resulted in five cases of WNV fever and five cases of WNV encephalitis (neuroinvasive disease). The other two infections were found in blood donors who were experiencing no symptoms.

“West Nile Virus is still spreading in Stanislaus County and across the state,” said Dr. John Walker, the Stanislaus County Public Health Officer. “We are only about half way through the season and the number of confirmed cases reported in Stanislaus County so far are already as high as the total number reported through all of last year. It is important that the public is aware that the threat of West Nile Virus persists.”

So far this year, there have been 164 confirmed symptomatic cases of West Nile Virus infection in people reported statewide. At the same time last year that number was just 138.

To report mosquito-breeding problem areas, Stanislaus County residents should contact one of the two mosquito abatement districts that serve the county. For Stanislaus County addresses north of the Tuolumne River, residents should call the Eastside Mosquito Abatement District at 522-4098 and all others should contact the Turlock Mosquito Abatement District at 634-1234.

To report a dead bird, call the California State hotline at 1-877-WNV-BIRD or report it online at www.westnile.ca.gov. Birds of particular interest to the state are crows, ravens, magpies, jays and raptors (hawk or eagle).

For more information, call the West Nile virus hotline at (209) 558-8425 to hear recorded information in both English and Spanish. You can also visit www.stanemergency.com for WNV information. The website includes maps showing locations of WNV-infected mosquito samples, dead birds, and horses.

Writer Phoebe Leung can be reached at (209) 558-7163.