The Bakersfield Californian Tuesday, Jul 31 2007 11:20 PM
Last Updated: Tuesday, Jul 31 2007 11:23 PM
West Nile Virus cases in Kern County continued to rise with the addition of 10 more confirmed cases, according to Dr. Claudia Jonah, interim director of public health services.
That brings the county's total to 38, which more than doubles the 18 cases found in the rest of the state.
Jonah said Tuesday that she would not be surprised if the numbers in Kern County continued to top other counties.
So far this season, the virus has killed two Kern County residents. Elsewhere, San Joaquin and Colusa counties have each recorded one death.
Last year, the state recorded seven deaths from the virus, none in Kern County.
Yet Kern had 51 cases in 2006, more than any other county.
The bite of an infected mosquito can transmit the virus to humans and other animals.
In most cases, Jonah said, people who become infected show no symptoms of the virus.
Others may experience fever, body aches and rashes. Few cases end in death.
The aged and people with chronic health problems that already put a drag on the immune system are more vulnerable.
There are precautions people can take to lessen the risk of infection, Jonah said.
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