West Nile virus found in Ventura County
By Sylvie Belmond belmond@theacorn.com

A man in his early 40s became the first person in Ventura County this year to be diagnosed with West Nile virus, health officials said last week.

The man is now recovering in his home after being admitted to the hospital with high fever, nausea and vomiting.

West Nile virus is a disease most often spread by infected mosquitoes. The virus is rarely fatal but in a small percentage of cases it can cause neurological and other serious health problems, said Dr. Robert Levin, county health officer.

So far this year there have been 10 recorded deaths in California attributed to the disease.

Diseases like West Nile that are transmitted from animals or insects to humans can be contracted anywhere and are not exclusive to one geographic area, said Kim Kandarian, communicable diseases coordinator for the Ventura County Department of Public Health.

There are more than 85 diseases that must be reported to environmental health, including Lyme disease, AIDS, tuberculosis and West Nile.

"Everything gets reported to the county where the person resides, but the person may have contracted the disease elsewhere," said Kandarian, who noted that the man diagnosed with West Nile last week said he'd been bitten by mosquitoes while he was away on vacation.

According to the California Department of Health, 14 positive human cases of West Nile were reported in California last week, including the Ventura County case. As of Sept. 7 the virus had already infected 198 Californians in 24 other counties.

The bites of West Nile-carrying mosquitoes can spread the disease to birds, horses and humans, said health officials, noting that at least five birds died from the virus in Ventura County this year. One of them was found in Simi Valley and another in Thousand Oaks.

Preventing the spread

of the disease

Although the likelihood of contracting West Nile virus is low, people should still take steps to help prevent the possible spread of the disease, said Cary Svoboda, environmental health specialist for the County of Ventura.

Homeowners should eliminate standing pools of water on their property where mosquitoes that carry the virus can breed. Mosquito larvae thrive in stagnant water where debris and vegetation protect them from predators or water motion, Svoboda said.

For this reason, a recent downturn in the real estate market has health officials concerned about pools and spas left unattended at foreclosed properties.

"It affects public health because unmaintained pools can put off thousands of mosquitoes per week," Svoboda said.

Residents should call the county at (805) 658-4310 if they notice that a home has been foreclosed on and no one is maintaining the water features on the property.

This number is only for reports about stagnant water or excessive mosquito activity, Svoboda said.

To report dead birds call the West Nile virus hotline at (877) 968-2473 or (877) WNV-BIRD. The county's vector department will pick up the birds, which will then be tested for the virus.

To request fish that eat mosquito larvae, call (805) 662-6582. The fish cannot be placed in natural creeks or ponds because of ecological concerns, but when they're used in water bodies that are isolated from natural waterways they're effective in eliminating larvae.

Other steps that may be taken to avoid being infected by West Nile include putting screens on windows and doors, avoiding outdoor activities at dawn and dusk, and wearing long pants and a long-sleeved shirt when mosquitoes are active.

Applying bug repellent with DEET according to the package instructions also helps, said health officials.