Santa Cruz County Records First Positive Evidence Of West Nile Virus

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, CA - Santa Cruz County has recorded its first positive sample of West Nile virus this summer in a group of mosquitoes collected last week, county public health officials said Monday.

Seven northern house mosquitoes caught in traps at Neary Lagoon last Monday in Santa Cruz were sent for testing to a laboratory at University of California at Davis, public health officials said.

The county was informed Friday that the results found traces of West Nile virus, which was the first confirmed sample of the virus among mosquitoes this summer, public health officials said.

The finding comes after a dead bird discovered in the city's Upper Westside area tested positive for the virus earlier this month, according to public health officials.

The virus, which is spread through the bite of an infected mosquito, is mostly found among birds, but can also be passed to humans and other animals, public health officials said.

People bit by a mosquito carrying the virus can experience no symptoms or a fever, according to public health officials.

Less than 1 percent of cases lead to serious illnesses that affect the central nervous system, public health officials said.

The public can protect themselves from West Nile virus by draining any pools of standing water where mosquitoes breed and dress in long sleeves while outdoors, public health officials said.

People can also try to avoid going outside during the dusk and dawn hours when mosquitoes are most active, according to public health officials.

-Bay City News, image via Oregon State University/Flickr