Dublin, California

 

West Nile Virus

West Nile Virus

West Nile Virus (WNV) is a mosquito-borne disease that has been found in parts of Asia, Eastern Europe, Africa and the Middle East. The virus was first detected in the United States in 1999 in New York City and has since spread through most of the country. Most people and animals who become infected with the virus have only a mild illness or no symptoms, but in rare cases can become seriously ill. The types of mosquitoes that can transmit WNV are common mosquitoes in Alameda County. Our goal is to decrease the numbers of mosquitoes in the county thereby minimizing the possibility of WNV transmission.

As of April 4, there have been a few California birds diagnosed with WNV for 2004. Since 2000, there have been three human cases, all of whom had traveled to hotspots for the disease. Their infections were classified as meningitis(2) and meningoencephalitis. Many birds have been found with the disease. Most (40) are sentinel chickens among nearly 22,000 tested. Over 5,000 dead birds have been tested, one of which was a confirmed WNV victim. Of nearly 6,400 mosquitoes tested, 14 were positive for WNV. All of the confirmed California birds and insects were in Southern California.

Although the disease has apparently not arrived in Alameda or San Joaquin County, it seems inevitable that it will be here in the next few months. It is prudent to reduce your exposure to mosquito bites.

Stock your fishpond with mosquitofish (free from Alameda County Mosquito Abatement 1.510.783.7744) or use our Bacillus thurengensis Mosquito Dunks™ in your smaller  pools.
Eliminate all standing water on your property and also that of your neighbors'.
Be careful to follow directions; bird deaths in the east have been attributed to over enthusiastic spraying
Make sure your window and door screens fit tightly.
Stay inside at dawn and dusk, when they are active.

Wear long sleeves and long pants, and use insect repellent

Avoid applying sun block and deet at the same time, let one set for 30 minutes then apply the other. The fresh sun block increases absorption of deet, leading to possible allergic reactions.

Carbon dioxide traps like Mosquito Magnet™ emit a plume of carbon dioxide, heat, moisture & octenol.  "They do a great job of capturing mosquitoes, but there's a chance they could work too well & attract more mosquitoes than usual, some of which might bite you enroute to the trap

Soybean oil products are effective, but need more frequent application

Keep outside lighting to a minimum near entry doors.

You can get more information from one or more of the following websites:

Alameda County Mosquito Control District  This is the source of the paragraph that introduces this page.

CDC   website (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

DHS   California DHS website (Department of Health Services)

Maps   Updated US maps of WNV

California WNV Center  The state website for the latest news on the West Nile Virus.

UC Davis Center for Equine Health--WNV in horses  West Nile Virus information and links.

NBII--West Nile Virus  Contains a list of links for the state concerning West Nile Virus.

 

pdf   2003 Equine WNV Outlook for the US (Published June, 2003; 3 pages)

pdf  "On The Trail of West Nile Virus", an article from the Smithsonian (7 pages)

 

 

 

 

 

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Last modified: 05/14/04