Alameda County Mosquito Abatement District

 

Two More West Nile Virus Positive Birds in Alameda County

Alameda County Mosquito Abatement District News Release [pdf]
No: 2005-04
Date: Aug 09, 2005

HAYWARD – The Alameda County Mosquito Abatement District is announcing today that 2 crows have tested positive for West Nile Virus (WNV). The District tested these dead birds in-house this morning and both were found positive for WNV. These birds are the first crows positive for WNV this year and were picked up yesterday from Livermore and Pleasanton, Zip Codes 94551 and 94566 respectively.

“Because of the higher temperatures in the Livermore-Pleasanton area there is a higher risk here for WNV infections in birds, horses and humans” said District Entomologist Bruce Kirkpatrick. “We have increased our surveillance and control efforts throughout the County to address the increased risk this mosquito season.”

To date Alameda County has had no human or horse cases of WNV, nor have any mosquitoes tested positive. Residents of Alameda County have reported over 1100 dead birds -- of those, 158 were tested and 4 were found positive for WNV. To date, California has had over 1,000 dead birds test positive for WNV.

There are 16 counties in California with current human West Nile Virus infections – 102 cases to date, including three deaths (one in each of Kings, Riverside and Fresno counties). In 2004 California had 830 human cases of West Nile Virus including 28 fatalities.

“Local surveillance and control efforts have kept West Nile Virus infections down in our county but as we move further into the summer, we expect the threat of West Nile Virus to increase” said District Manager John Rusmisel. “While we have increased our field staff to 10, which includes three seasonal employees, it is important that everyone take a few simple precautions to reduce their risk of mosquito bites, which is the primary method of transmission for the virus.” We refer to this list as the “6 D’s” to help people remember them:

• DRAIN: all sources of standing water that can support mosquito breeding, and don’t overwater your lawn
• DAWN and DUSK: Avoid spending time outside when mosquitoes are most active, especially at dawn and the first two hours after suns
• DRESS APPROPRIATELY: When outdoors, wear long pants and long-sleeved shirts
• DEET: Apply insect repellent containing DEET or Picaridin according to label instructions
• DOOR and window screens: Repair or replace screens that have tears or holes.
• Contact us if you are being bothered by mosquitoes or know of a potential mosquito breeding source.

Most people who become infected with WNV do not experience symptoms or become ill. Only about one out every 150 people infected with WNV may develop a more severe form of the illness. Adults over 50 years old and people with compromised immune systems are at increased risk of serious complications from WNV infection. Anyone who develops symptoms such as a high fever, confusion, muscle weakness, severe headaches or stiff neck should seek medical care immediately.

As part of an on-going surveillance program, the Alameda County Mosquito Abatement District is asking the public to report any wild birds, specifically crows, ravens, jays, magpies and birds of prey that have been dead less than 48 hours (and show no signs of decomposition), to the California Department of Health Services. Their website address for reporting the dead birds is: www.westnile.ca.gov. They can also be reached by phone: 1. 877. WNV. BIRD (1. 877. 968. 2473).

Since horses are very susceptible to WNV and two different vaccines are available for horses, horse owners are advised to contact their veterinarians immediately about timely vaccinations.

The current surveillance program to monitor for WNV in California has been established by CDHS in collaboration with the University of California at Davis, California Department of Food and Agriculture, local mosquito and vector control districts and other state and local agencies.

The public can access lots of information about mosquitoes and West Nile Virus on our website: www.mosquitoes.org. Residents can also pick up mosquito-larvae eating fish at our District office from 7:30-4:00pm for their fish ponds, horse troughs, etc. We are located in Hayward at 23187 Connecticut St. Our phone number is 510. 783. 7744. For information concerning West Nile Virus symptoms, prevention or testing please contact the Alameda County Public Health Department at 510. 267. 8001.

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Contact: William Hamersky or John Rusmisel at 510. 783. 7744 or visit www.mosquitoes.org.