West Nile hits Inland Empire; Fontana woman diagnosed

A 24-year old woman from Fontana has been hospitalized with West Nile Virus (WNV), according to the San Bernardino County Department of Public Health.

This is the first human case of WNV in 2012 in San Bernardino County, officials said.

Previously this year, 18 chickens from sentinel flocks in Colton, Fontana, Rialto, and Upland tested positive for WNV. Six samples of mosquitoes in Colton, Fontana, Redlands, and San Bernardino and a dead crow in San Bernardino had also tested positive for WNV.

West Nile Virus activity across the nation has been at a record-high. As of August 14, 693 human cases of WNV (including 26 fatalities) have been reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). More than 80 percent of cases nationwide have been reported from the six states of Texas, Mississippi, Louisiana, Oklahoma, South Dakota, and California.


According to the CDC's website, the 693 cases reported thus far in 2012 is the highest number of West Nile Virus disease cases reported to CDC through the second week in August since West Nile Virus was first detected in the United States in 1999.

The California Department of Public Health encourages the public to participate in the West Nile Virus surveillance program by reporting dead birds or squirrels to the State West Nile Virus toll-free hotline at (877) WNV-BIRD, or online at www.westnile.ca.gov.

Property owners with pools are encouraged to keep them clean. Mosquitoes lay their eggs in unmaintained green pools and can fly up to 1.5 miles per hour, potentially transmitting the virus and impacting entire neighborhoods.

Residents are urged to report green pools and other sources of mosquito breeding to the County of San Bernardino's Mosquito and Vector Control Program at (800) 442-2283.

LOCAL RESIDENTS can protect themselves and their families from West Nile

Virus by taking these precautions:

• Drain or Dump: Remove all standing water around your property where mosquitoes lay eggs such as birdbaths, green swimming pools, ponds, old tires, buckets, clogged gutters, or even puddles from leaky sprinklers.

• Dawn and Dusk: Avoid spending time outside when mosquitoes are most active.

• Dress: Wear shoes, socks, and long pants and long-sleeved shirts that are loose fitting and light colored.

• DEET: Apply insect repellent containing DEET according to manufacturer's directions.

• Doors: Make sure doors and windows have tight-fitting screens. Repair or replace screens that have tears or holes to prevent mosquitoes from entering your home.

A single bite from a mosquito could be enough to infect people; however, authorities want to emphasize that not all bites result in infections. In fact, according to authorities, 80 percent of people bit by mosquitoes carrying the virus did not get sick. About one in 150 people will develop a severe illness, which could result in death.

For more information, contact the County of San Bernardino Department of Public Health, Division of Environmental Health Services at (800) 442-2283 or visit the website at www.sbcounty.gov/dehs.

good to see someone appreciates the new news ticker!

DontxTrip wrote:good to see someone appreciates the new news ticker!

Apparently there are now over 1000 confirmed cases in the country, and several deaths nationwide. Texas and Louisiana have had 16 and 20 reported deaths, if I'm not mistaken. California has only had 1 reported death.

NYTE wrote:California has only had 1 reported death.

stay away from fontucky, you don't want to get a pinche mosquito giving you the sickness.. ha ha