West Nile Virus Alert - Fight the Bite!
WNV is transmitted to humans and animals through a mosquito bite.
Mosquitoes become infected when they feed on infected birds. Individuals
can reduce their risk of mosquito-borne WNV by reducing their exposure to
mosquito bite. Common sense precautions include:
- Avoid time outside during the dusk and dawn hours
- When outdoors wear long pants and long-sleeved shirts
- Apply insect repellent containing DEET according to label
instructions
- Make sure all doors and windows have tight-fitting screens
- Eliminate all sources of standing water on your property that can
support mosquito breeding
- Contact your local mosquito and vector control agency if there is
a significant mosquito problem where you live or work
Most individuals who are infected by WNV will not experience any illness.
Others will have mild to moderate symptoms similar to the flu. WNV can cause
severe illness in some, causing brain swelling and death. Those at greatest
risk for severe disease are the immune suppressed and the elderly.
You can be part of Sutter County's surveillance program by reporting any
crows, ravens, magpies, jays, sparrows, finches and raptors that may have been
dead less than 48 hours to a special statewide toll-free hotline: 877-WNV-BIRD.
This number also has recorded information on WNV in California and WNV symptoms
in humans. It also provides callers the name and number of their local
mosquito control agency.
Information can be obtained online at California West Nile Virus Surveillance Information Center.
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