POSTED: 5:37 pm PDT July 22, 2007
UPDATED: 10:01 am PDT July 23, 2007
BAKERSFIELD -- The state health department is tracking a surprising cause for the early rise in human West Nile virus cases.
Officials say the lack of rainfall is causing more human West Nile cases, especially in Kern County, where 22 of 27 human cases statewide in 2007 have been diagnosed.
Kern County also has California's only West Nile-related death of the year. 96-year-old Marguerite Wilson died earlier this month from the disease.
Scientists typically cite pools of standing water left after rain storms as prime breeding ground for the mosquitoes that carry the disease.
But officials believe the drought foretold by this winter's thin Sierra snows could be crowding diseased birds into more scarce watering holes, where they're being bitten by mosquitoes that transfer the germs to humans.
The health department also says mortgage foreclosures leading to a lack of swimming pool maintenance is increasing the volume of mosquito larvae.
Copyright 2007 by TurnTo23.com. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Thursday, August 2, 2007
West Nile Virus Cluster Found In Northeast Bakersfield
Kern County Leads In Number Of West Nile Cases
POSTED: 7:27 pm PDT July 19, 2007
UPDATED: 2:47 pm PDT July 20, 2007
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. -- Kern County has more cases of West Nile virus than any other county in the state, according to data released by a state agency.
The county has 22 known human cases of the virus; seven of those are clustered within an area of Northeast Bakersfield.
Last week, a 96-year-old woman was the first to die of the disease. Marguerite Wilson lived in the area where most of the cases are located.
Despite the cluster of West Nile virus cases, public health officials said there is no one explanation for it.
Dr. Boyce Dulan, with the Kern County Public Health Department, said the virus tends to begin in one area and spread out as the summer months progress.
The disease is transmitted through birds infected with West Nile virus. Mosquitoes feed off the blood of infected birds and pass on the virus to humans.
Residents in Northeast Bakersfield said they are concerned about the cluster of West Nile virus so close to their neighborhoods.
Kern Mosquito and Vector Control officials warn the public to eliminate standing water around their homes to prevent breeding pools for mosquitoes.
Health officials said people should take preventative measures to safeguard against the virus.
* Avoid dawn and dusk hours, when mosquitoes are must abundant.
* Wear long sleeves and pants when outdoors and apply insect repellant with DEET.
* Repair broken screens on doors and windows to prevent mosquitoes from getting indoors.
Report all dead birds by calling 1-877-WNV-BIRD.
Copyright 2007 by TurnTo23.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
POSTED: 7:27 pm PDT July 19, 2007
UPDATED: 2:47 pm PDT July 20, 2007
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. -- Kern County has more cases of West Nile virus than any other county in the state, according to data released by a state agency.
The county has 22 known human cases of the virus; seven of those are clustered within an area of Northeast Bakersfield.
Last week, a 96-year-old woman was the first to die of the disease. Marguerite Wilson lived in the area where most of the cases are located.
Despite the cluster of West Nile virus cases, public health officials said there is no one explanation for it.
Dr. Boyce Dulan, with the Kern County Public Health Department, said the virus tends to begin in one area and spread out as the summer months progress.
The disease is transmitted through birds infected with West Nile virus. Mosquitoes feed off the blood of infected birds and pass on the virus to humans.
Residents in Northeast Bakersfield said they are concerned about the cluster of West Nile virus so close to their neighborhoods.
Kern Mosquito and Vector Control officials warn the public to eliminate standing water around their homes to prevent breeding pools for mosquitoes.
Health officials said people should take preventative measures to safeguard against the virus.
* Avoid dawn and dusk hours, when mosquitoes are must abundant.
* Wear long sleeves and pants when outdoors and apply insect repellant with DEET.
* Repair broken screens on doors and windows to prevent mosquitoes from getting indoors.
Report all dead birds by calling 1-877-WNV-BIRD.
Copyright 2007 by TurnTo23.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
First State West Nile Death In Kern County
96-Year-Old Woman Diagnosed
POSTED: 3:25 pm PDT July 13, 2007
UPDATED: 6:02 pm PDT July 13, 2007
BAKERSFIELD -- A 96-year-old Bakersfield woman died Wednesday from complications of West Nile virus, the Kern County Department of Public Health announced today.
The unidentified woman is the first person in California to die from West Nile this year.
West Nile is transmitted to humans, birds and animals by the bite of an infected mosquito. The elderly and those in frail health are the most susceptible to the virus, according to health department officials.
Health officials are urging all residents to take the following precautions to reduce the risk of being bitten by mosquitoes which are carriers of the disease:
Eliminate all sources of stagnant or standing water where mosquitoes can breed
Avoid being outdoors at dawn and dusk, when mosquitoes are most active
When outdoors, wear long sleeves and long pants whenever possible
Use insect repellent containing DEET, picaradin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus according to label instructions
Make sure the doors and windows in your home have tight fitting screens with no holes or tears
Contact your mosquito abatement district if there is a significant mosquito problem where you live or work
Report any ill or dead birds and squirrels
Consult veterinarians to properly vaccinate horses
Copyright 2007 by TurnTo23.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
POSTED: 3:25 pm PDT July 13, 2007
UPDATED: 6:02 pm PDT July 13, 2007
BAKERSFIELD -- A 96-year-old Bakersfield woman died Wednesday from complications of West Nile virus, the Kern County Department of Public Health announced today.
The unidentified woman is the first person in California to die from West Nile this year.
West Nile is transmitted to humans, birds and animals by the bite of an infected mosquito. The elderly and those in frail health are the most susceptible to the virus, according to health department officials.
Health officials are urging all residents to take the following precautions to reduce the risk of being bitten by mosquitoes which are carriers of the disease:
Eliminate all sources of stagnant or standing water where mosquitoes can breed
Avoid being outdoors at dawn and dusk, when mosquitoes are most active
When outdoors, wear long sleeves and long pants whenever possible
Use insect repellent containing DEET, picaradin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus according to label instructions
Make sure the doors and windows in your home have tight fitting screens with no holes or tears
Contact your mosquito abatement district if there is a significant mosquito problem where you live or work
Report any ill or dead birds and squirrels
Consult veterinarians to properly vaccinate horses
Copyright 2007 by TurnTo23.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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