Re: CA: Two Valley Deaths from West Nile Virus
Source:
http://www.kmph.com/Global/story.asp?S=11152319
First West Nile Death Reported In Fresno County
Posted: Sep 17, 2009 05:41 PM
Fresno County Health Official confirmed on Thursday the first West Nile virus this year in the county.
According to officials, the victim was a 50-year-old man who had a chronic medical condition.
Already this year there have been 36 reported cases of the West Nile Virus throughout the state, with only one other death in Merced County.
Last year the State of California reported a total of 445 cases of the West Nile Virus with 15 deaths.
"All residents, especially those over 50 years of age and those with chronic health conditions, must take this disease seriously and should take every precaution to protect themselves and their families from mosquito bites," states Dr. Edward L. Moreno, Fresno County Department of Public Health, Director and Health Officer. "I also encourage residents to engage the services of their mosquito abatement district if necessary to eliminate possible mosquito-breeding sources around their homes."
Health Officials offer these tip to help reduce the risk of being bitten by mosquitos or contracting the WNV:
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Apply insect repellents that contain DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus or IR 3535 according to label instructions.
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Use repellent especially in the early morning and in the evening when mosquitoes that carry WNV are active.
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Make sure that doors and windows have tight-fitting screens to keep out mosquitoes. Repair or replace screens with tears or holes.
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Contact mosquito abatement districts for assistance with poorly maintained swimming pools or water features that appear green. Green pools are the #1 source of mosquito breeding in residential areas of Fresno County. There are approximately 2,000 green swimming pools in the Fresno / Clovis area.
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Get FREE mosquito fish for backyard ponds or horse troughs from mosquito abatement districts. Call 1-800-821-1577 for information.
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Report dead birds and dead tree squirrels.
You can find more information on the West Nile Virus at
www.fcdph.org or by calling 1-8... to speak to a mosquito abatement district representative.
