West Nile confirmed in mosquitoes netted around Perris, San Jacinto
Mosquitoes carrying West Nile virus were recentlynetted in parts of central Riverside County — in the same general area that adead bird and dead chicken infected with the virus were located, healthofficials said today.
According to the Department of Environmental Health, a state-run labconfirmed that mosquito samples collected last week near Perris and in twolocations within the city of San Jacinto tested positive for West Nile.
That follows the recent discovery of a dead sentinel chicken and a crowthat had WNV. The crow was found in Banning; the chicken was found in the SanJacinto Wildlife Area, DEH officials said. Last month, mosquitoes netted inMoreno Valley tested positive for WNV.
There have been no reports of human infection regionally, though onehuman case has been confirmed in Sacramento County, according to the CaliforniaDepartment of Public Health.
Last year, at least one county resident, a 52-year-old Riverside man,suffered WNV-related complications but recovered.
WNV infections are not uncommon in birds and chickens. In 2012, 63chickens tested positive, according to the DEH.
Mosquitoes typically become carriers of WNV after feeding on an infectedbird and can then spread the potentially lethal strain to animals and humans,according to health officials.
Symptoms may never materialize, but can include fever, headache, nausea,body aches, skin rashes and swollen lymph nodes. Fatal cases are rare. Thelast known WNV-related human fatality in Riverside County occurred in 2008.
Mosquito season in Southern California generally spans the months of Maythrough October. To reduce exposure to WNV during this period, residents areurged to:
— spend as little time as possible outdoors at dawn or dusk, whenmosquitoes are most active;
— wear pants and long-sleeved shirts during outdoor activity;
— use insect repellent;
— ensure door and window screens are fitted properly to keep bugs out; and
— get rid of standing water, aside from pools properly treated withchemicals.
The California Department of Public Health asks anyone who finds a deadcrow, raven, magpie or jaybird to call the West Nile hotline: (877) 968-2473.
Anyone with concerns about WNV, mosquitoes, neglected pools or standingwater can contact the Riverside County Vector Control program at (951) 766-9454.
