Fresno has first case of human West Nile virus

A 55-year-old woman is the first West Nile virus human case in Fresno County this year, health officials said today. The woman became ill with flu-like symptoms and a rash but was not hospitalized, the county’s Department of Public Health said. She is now recovering.

The announcement marks the fifth West Nile human case in the state this year. Three cases have been reported in Stanislaus County and one in Kern County. Twenty California counties have reported the virus in birds, mosquitoes and squirrels.

Last year in Fresno County, 13 human cases were reported, with one death; in the state, 112 human cases were reported, with four deaths.

“Mosquitoes infected with the West Nile virus can transmit the virus to humans while biting. Residents should take this disease seriously and protect themselves and their families from mosquito bites,” said Dr. Edward Moreno, Fresno County Department of Public Health director and county health officer.  “Residents should also contact their mosquito abatement district office for assistance in eliminating mosquito-breeding sources around their homes.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says West Nile is commonly found in Africa, west Asia and the Middle East. The virus can cause fever, headache, tiredness, aches, rashes and, in some cases, more serious afflictions such as convulsions, paralysis and coma.

The CDC says of 300,000 likely human cases since 1999, more than 1,150 victims died. It says fewer than 1% of people who get infected develop severe illnesses, while most do not develop any disease at all.

To reduce the risk of contracting the virus, Fresno County health officials urge residents to use insect repellent and to contact mosquito abatement districts to report poorly maintained swimming pools and other water bodies that can breed mosquitoes. County officials said there have been more than 3,000 neglected swimming pools reported locally since January. People also can report dead birds and dead tree squirrels to the state Department of Public Health.

For more information, call the Consolidated Mosquito Abatement District at 800-821-1577 or visit the Fresno County Department of Public Health website. The California Department of Public Health can be found online or at 877-968-2473.