FRESNO COUNTY, CA (KMJ) – One person has died from West Nile Virus, another is sickened, fighting Saint Louis Encephalitis Virus.
Leticia Berber, Educator with Fresno County Department of Public Health says both people were bitten by mosquitos in Fresno County.
The Health Department says so far this year 26 cases of West Nile Virus have been reported in the County but health officials expect a rise in that number as August and September are peak months for mosquitos to bite and spread disease.
Berber said the last death from West Nile was back in 2012.
“There’s no vaccine for these two illnesses, there’s no cure for these two illnesses, that’s why we are letting the public know that prevention is the first step,” said Berber.
That means eliminating any sources of standing water, and calling your Mosquito Abatement District if you see green pools.
“Mosquitos breed in water. They lay their eggs in water. Takes about a week for mosquitos to hatch. So, you want to make sure you are getting rid of that standing water, also use mosquito repellent,” said Berber.
- Apply insect repellents that contain DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus or IR 3535 according to label instructions.
- Use repellent, especially in the early morning and in the evening, when mosquitoes that carry West Nile are most active.
- Make sure that doors and windows have tight-fitting screens to keep out mosquitoes.
- Neglected pools are the # 1 source of mosquito breeding in residential areas.
- Get FREE mosquito fish for backyard ponds or horse troughs from mosquito abatement
districts. Contact your local mosquito abatement district for information. - Report dead birds and dead tree squirrels.
For additional information about WNV or to report dead birds and dead tree squirrels, visit the
California Department of Public Health website at www.westnile.ca.gov or call 1-877-968-2473.
Contact your local mosquito abatement district for any concerns about mosquitoes in your area by using the map linked here to determine which district services your location.
Click to hear the report by KMJ’s Liz Kern:
