2 SLO County residents infected with West Nile virus, including first case contracted here
Two San Luis Obispo County residents are confirmed to have the West Nile virus, the SLO County Public Health Department said in a news release, and one contracted the disease locally.
This is the first time someone is known to have contracted the West Nile virus in the county, Public Health said. The other resident contracted the virus elsewhere, the release said.
The disease is spread by mosquitoes, and in past cases, SLO County residents became infected in places were the virus is more common, the release said.
The local cases come as reports of West Nile virus in humans are increasing statewide compared to previous years, according to data from the California Department of Public Health.
So far this year, West Nile virus has been confirmed in 244 human cases in California as of Oct. 13, 2023, according to CDPH data. That’s a 38% jump from this time last year, when 93 human cases had been tallied in the state.
Symptoms of West Nile virus and how to curb its spread
Despite the increase in West Nile cases in California, local health officials don’t feel the virus is a major public health risk, the release said.
“We want our community to be aware that West Nile virus has spread here in SLO County, but it does not appear to be spreading widely and the risk to the public remains very low. Together, we can take simple steps to prevent further spread, like protecting against mosquito bites and keeping an eye out for sources of standing water that make it easy for mosquitoes to breed,” Dr. Penny Borenstein, County Public Health officer, said in the release.
While one in five people may experience flu-like symptoms and less than 1% develop serious neurologic illness, many who are bitten by a mosquito carrying West Nile don’t experience any adverse symptoms, the release said.
People with preexisting conditions such as diabetes and hypertension or those over age 50 are at an elevated risk of developing a serious illness from West Nile virus, according to the news release.
Most cases of the virus follow mosquito breeding patterns and increase most frequently in summer and fall.
“If we get rain this fall, mosquitoes may have more of an opportunity to thrive,” Borenstein said. “Now is a good time to be aware and remember to dump or drain standing water around your home.”
Public Health says other ways to stay protected include wearing a bug repellent that contains DEET, picaridin or lemon eucalyptus oil; wear long-sleeved pants and shirts; avoid mosquitoes at dusk and dawn, when they are most likely to bite; and check and repair screens to keep mosquitoes out.
Cleaning out fountains, bird baths and pet water dishes can also help prevent mosquito activity.
This story was originally published October 17, 2023 at 1:48 PM.
