Mosquito-bite warning: Tulare County has 2 human West Nile cases and more ‘probable’

Health officials in Tulare County are warning residents to take precautions against mosquitoes after several reported cases of the West Nile Virus.

Two of the cases have been confirmed, according to the public health department. Another three cases are listed as probable.

Mosquitoes have tested positive for West Nile Virus in multiple locations within the county and may also pose a risk of transmitting St. Louis Encephalitis Virus, or SLEV. A Madera County man in his 90s died in August from SLEV.

“Due to this increased activity and these reported cases, we strongly encourage residents to use safeguards to reduce their risk of contracting both West Nile Virus and SLEV through mosquito bites,” Tulare County Public Health Officer Dr. Karen Haught said in a statement.

Both viruses are transmitted to humans when bitten by an infected mosquito. While most people infected have no symptoms, one in five people will develop a fever with other symptoms within 14 days days of being infected. About one out of 150 infected will develop a serious, sometimes fatal, illness.

An 84-year-old Fresno man died of complications of the virus last year.

Three people have died of West Nile in California so far this year, according to statistics from westnile.ca.gov.

Much of the state, but especially the central San Joaquin Valley, has become a breeding ground for mosquitoes. During the heat wave this August, larvae were reaching adulthood in as little as four to seven days. Female mosquitoes can lay up to 100 eggs every third night after mating only once and can produce three sets of eggs before they die.

Fresno County issued a warning of its own in June, after mosquitoes tested positive virus around the 93704 zip code, which runs through the center of the city, extending from around Fresno City College to Herndon Avenue.

“This confirmation is a strong reminder that everyone should take this disease seriously and should take every precaution to protect themselves and their families from mosquito bites,” Dr. Rais Vohra, Fresno County Department of Public Health’s interim health officer said at the time.

At least six cases of West Nile have been reported in Fresno County this year according to westnile.ca.gov.

Invasive Aedes aegypti mosquito in Merced County

And West Nile is not the only worry.

Just this week, the Merced County Mosquito Abatement District discovered the invasive Aedes aegypti mosquito, which is capable of transmitting multiple human diseases including chikungunya, dengue, yellow fever and Zika.

How to protect yourself from mosquito bites?

Residents are urged to increase their awareness of potential breeding grounds and avoid being bitten by using EPA-registered insect repellent such as DEET, dressing in long sleeves and pants during dawn and dusk or when in areas where mosquitoes are active; draining standing water and repairing or replacing doors and window screens that have tears or holes.

Those in Tulare County concerned about possible breeding areas in their neighborhoods can contact one of the county’s mosquito abatement offices.

▪ Delta Vector Control (Mosquito Abatement District) – Covering the northern portion of Tulare County. 559-732-8606, www.deltavcd.com.

▪ Tulare Mosquito Abatement District – Covering the western portion of Tulare County. 559-686-6628, www.tularemosquito.com.

▪ Delano Mosquito Abatement District – Covering the southern portion of Tulare County. 661-725-3114, delanomosquito.com.