The Kings County Health Department announced today that the first human case of West Nile Virus in 2012 has been confirmed in Kings County.
In each of 2010 and 2011, there was 1 case in Kings County, 3 in 2009, and two in 2008. Seven cases were reported in 2007, which included one fatality. Since the county’s first human case in 2005, there have been a total of 47 West Nile Virus cases, including four deaths.
As of September 21, there were 147 human cases in 24 counties in California this year, including 6 fatalities in Fresno, Kern, Merced, Placer, and Sacramento Counties.
The Kings Mosquito Abatement District continues to detect West Nile Virus in mosquitoes collected throughout Kings County. As of September 21, 2012, 87 of these mosquito samples have tested positive for the virus.
According to the Kings County Health Officer, Dr. Michael Mac Lean, West Nile Virus will be a continuing presence in Kings County. Even when the mosquito infection rate is low, people can still be bitten by an infected mosquito.
He noted that the Kings Mosquito Abatement District provides highly professional and effective mosquito control services. Dr. Mac Lean commented that: “If people knew what I knew about West Nile Virus – they would be a lot more careful about avoiding mosquito bites.”
Dr. Mac Lean added that there is also much that residents can do to reduce the risk of WNV to themselves and the community. “It is crucial that people be aware of WNV and know the measures they can take to prevent mosquito breeding and to minimize their exposure to mosquitoes and reduce the chance of becoming infected.”