West Nile

[mouthcallinmatt1]

West Nile virus found in bird

SIERRA MADRE -- The first bird in this city to test positive for West Nile virus has been found, a statewide surveillance program reported late last week.
Ninety-seven more bird carcasses in Southern California also tested positive, according to the latest weekly report. Forty were from San Bernardino, 40 from Los Angeles and 17 from Riverside counties.

West Nile virus is a viral infection of birds transmitted from bird to bird by mosquitoes. Occasionally humans, horses and other animals can become infected if bitten by an infected mosquito.

Mosquitoes carrying the West Nile virus have also been found at four locations in Glendale and the San Fernando Valley. Officials are beefing up monitoring and treatment programs to prevent the spread of the potentially fatal disease.

Health officials began keeping test results Feb. 24.

A total of 395 infected birds were reported in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and Ventura counties as of June 10.

Three hundred seventy-nine of the infected birds were identified as American crows, six were common ravens, three western scrub jays and two mallard ducks. One black phoebe, one house sparrow, one mockingbird, a red-tailed hawk and a western tanager have tested positive.

Authorities are asking the public to call the toll-free West Nile virus hot line at (877) WNV- BIRD, or (877) 968-2473 to report where and when a dead bird is found.

[scr83jp]

The common Culex female mosquito carries the virus but if you contract the virus and survive you're immune for life according to epidemiologists in San Bernardino County.

[Marty]

West Nile case confirmed

By MARC SCHANZ, Staff Writer - Imperial Valley Press (http://www.ivpressonline.com)

Imperial County Public Health Department officials confirmed Wednesday that a middle-aged Imperial County woman has contracted West Nile virus, the county's first human case this year. Health department spokeswoman Maria Peinado gave few details about the woman or her condition, citing privacy issues, but said health officials had learned of her diagnosis late Tuesday.

"It was detected through a routine medical screening," Peinado said. "A milder form of the illness was indicated, but after testing by the state, it was revealed that she had the virus." Peinado added the woman's case is "still being investigated," and health officials are monitoring her progress.

The woman's infection was detected July 16. Peinado said the woman "had a headache at the time, but thought it was due to the heat." Over the next several days, the woman reported a stiff neck, back pain, fatigue and muscle aches, symptoms about 20 percent of those infected with the virus experience.

Stephen Munday, Imperial County public health officer, praised the efforts of local hospitals and health workers to detect any cases. "Right now, we are in the height of mosquito season in our area, and it is important that the public take the appropriate precautions when spending time outdoors," he said.

So far this year, 45 cases of WNV infection have been confirmed in California. Cases have been reported in San Bernardino, Los Angeles, Riverside, Orange, Kern and Imperial counties, according to state health department figures. One death has been confirmed so far — that of 57-year-old James Damiano of Fullerton. But most persons who are bitten with WNV mosquitoes never develop serious symptoms, and the disease often strikes those who are elderly or have weakened immune systems. About 20 percent of people infected develop fever, nausea, muscle aches and headaches. In some cases, symptoms progress to encephalitis or meningitis, which can be life threatening.

The disease was first detected in California last August, when a dead bird near the Salton Sea tested positive for the virus. An Imperial Irrigation District employee, 46-year-old Kenneth Ingram of Brawley, was diagnosed with WNV last October. He later made a full recovery.

With the return of the summer and moist air, mosquitoes that transmit the disease are of great concern to local officials. With temperatures routinely running above 105 degrees this time of year and humidity blowing in from the Gulf of Mexico and Arizona monsoons, moisture-loving mosquitoes are a big concern to county vector control workers. "A few days ago, we had 70 percent humidity at 4 a.m.," said Paul Johnson, vector control supervisor with Imperial County Environmental Health Services. "Mosquitoes don't like to dry out and the early morning and early evening is when you should be particularly careful."

Johnson said one particular species of mosquito that thrives in fields of alfalfa and Bermuda grass — the psorophora mosquito — is "particularly thirsty" and they are the ones who seem to pop up around ditches and standing water. "They're not always in the same places, but if there is a clogged street drain or an overwatered lawn, chances are they'll be there before too long," Johnson added.

Despite the high temperatures, people should remember their long sleeves and pants, especially if out and about near dawn or dusk. Swamp coolers also can attract mosquitoes if left unattended, Johnson added. "Check screens, use insect repellent with DEET and watch standing water around your home," he advised.

Contact environmental health to report a mosquito problem at 482-4203. For general information about the virus, call the hotline at 482-4968.

[PHOnos]

24-Year-Old May Be Latest West Nile Fatality
Man Had Flu-Like Symptoms; Cause Of Death Not Confirmed

POSTED: 9:35 am PDT August 12, 2004
UPDATED: 10:05 am PDT August 12, 2004

LOS ANGELES -- The death of Francisco Cervantes, a 24-year-old man with flu-like symptoms, last Friday at Suburban Medical Center in Paramount, Calif., prompted doctors to report the death as a potential West Nile virus case, according to reports.

The cause of death is not confirmed. Tests are still pending at the coroner's office, reports indicated.

An autopsy done Wednesday is expected to reveal whether Cervantes is the sixth Californian to die this year from complications of the mosquito-borne virus, according to reports.

[EL CAZADOR]

now this is scary, so far all the people dying have been the elderly. A 24 year old guy dies . . . ouch. I'm not messing around now.

[D-Zone]

Yeah whats up with that, probably allergic reaction or something. Now if i get sucked on by a sqeeter i&#39;m freaking out!! http://www.jesseshunting.com/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smiley-ren.gif