FIGHT THE BITE -- Protect Yourself from West Nile, Dengue & Zika!

By Gig Conaughton, County of San Diego Communications Office

Mar. 15, 2019 | 9:32 AM

A dead Cooper’s hawk found in Lakeside has tested positive for West Nile
virus, making it the first sign this year of the potentially deadly
disease in San Diego County.

County Vector Control officials said people should remember to follow
the County’s “Prevent, Protect, Report” guidelines—particularly to dump
out standing water and to wear insect repellent—to protect themselves
from mosquitoes that can transmit West Nile virus and other diseases,
such as chikungunya, dengue and Zika.

Officials said the dead hawk had relatively low levels of West Nile
virus in its tissues, suggesting that it was an old infection. However,
they said it was a good reminder that West Nile virus, which first
arrived in San Diego County in 2003, is established here and that people
need to protect themselves from mosquitoes.

Last year was a relatively mild one for West Nile virus in San Diego
County. One county resident tested positive for the disease and
survived. However, as recently as 2015, 44 County residents tested
positive and six people died. Across California in 2018, 215 people
became infected with West Nile virus and 10 people died.

West Nile virus is mainly a bird disease, but it can be transmitted
to humans by a number of species of mosquitoes — including Culex
mosquitoes native to San Diego and, less effectively, by invasive Aedes
aegypti mosquitoes — if they feed off an infected animal, mainly birds,
and then bite people.

If people who become infected suffer symptoms, they are typically
mild, including headache, fever, nausea, fatigue, skin rash or swollen
glands. But in rare cases, West Nile virus can make people extremely ill
and even kill them.

New Mosquito-Borne Illness Worries

Protecting against mosquitoes has become even more important for San
Diego County residents in recent years. Since 2014, three types of
day-biting, invasive Aedes mosquitoes have been found in San Diego
County. All of these mosquitoes like to live and breed near people, in
yards and even inside homes. All of them can potentially transmit
diseases not naturally found here. Two of these species can potentially
transmit chikungunya, dengue and Zika — but only if they first bite an
infected person. In general, that means local invasive Aedes mosquitoes
could only transmit those diseases if they found, and bit, San Diego
County residents who got the disease while traveling and returned home
still infected.

County officials said that people should help fight mosquitoes and
potential illnesses by following the “Prevent, Protect, Report”
guidelines.

Prevent mosquito breeding

Dump out or remove any item inside or outside of homes that can hold
water, such as plant saucers, rain gutters, buckets, garbage cans, toys,
old tires, and wheelbarrows. Mosquito fish, available for free by
contacting the Vector Control Program, may be used to control mosquito
breeding in backyard water sources such as unused swimming pools, ponds,
fountains and horse troughs.

Protect yourself from mosquito bites

Protect yourself from mosquito-borne illnesses by wearing long
sleeves and pants or use repellent when outdoors. Use insect repellent
that contains DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or IR3535. Make
sure screens on windows and doors are in good condition and secured to
keep insects out.

Report possible mosquito activity

Report increased mosquito activity, or neglected, green swimming
pools and other mosquito-breeding sources, as well as dead birds — dead
crows, ravens, jays, hawks and owls — to environmental health’s Vector
Control Program by calling (858) 694-2888 or emailing vector@sdcounty.ca.gov.
Also report if you are being bitten by mosquitoes during daylight
hours, or if you find mosquitoes that match the description of Aedes
mosquitoes by contacting the Vector Control Program at (858) 694-2888.

For more information about mosquito-borne illnesses, go to San Diego County’s “Fight the Bite” website.

https://www.sandiegocounty.gov...