San Bernardino Woman Contracts West Nile Virus

A woman has been hospitalized with San Bernardino County’s first case of West Nile Virus in 2010, according to the San Bernardino Department of Public Health. She is expected to recover.

The County had two confirmed human cases of the virus in 2009, and no deaths, said health officials. Statewide, eight human cases have been reported this year, including some in the Los Angeles area.

“County residents should take precautions to protect themselves from mosquito bites by applying insect repellent and eliminating all sources of standing water that can support mosquito breeding,” said Dr. Maxwell Ohikhuare, Health Officer with the San Bernardino County Department of Public Health.

Tests were positive for West Nile Virus activity in the county this summer from one dead bird, one dead squirrel and six mosquito samples, Ohikhuar said.

West Nile Virus is transmitted to humans and animals through a mosquito bite. Mosquitoes become infected when they feed on infected birds.