S.J. sees first case of West Nile virus
San Joaquin County has had its first human case of West Nile virus of the year, according to San Joaquin County Public Health Officer Dr. Alvaro Garza .
A 70-year-old male in Manteca has been confirmed as the first person in the county to be infected in 2017.
The virus is transmitted by infected mosquitoes and the chance of someone experiencing severe illness is low. Less than 1 percent develop a serious neurological illness such as encephalitis or meningitis. Those 50 and older, as well as those with diabetes or hypertension have a higher chance of experiencing complications.
According to San Joaquin County Public Health Services Communication Coordinator Krista Dommer, educating the public is key when it comes to prevention of the virus, and the county is doing its best to inform the community on the necessary steps to take for prevention. The department provides information and resources about the virus on its website and is keeping the press updated on the transmission of the virus in the county. It is also distributing several fliers and pamphlets as well as other education materials and are attending health fairs in an effort to connect with the community to further educate people on the transmission of the virus.
“Even though the virus has been around a long time now, this first reported case reminds us that we must all continue to take precautions to protect ourselves and our families from mosquito bites,” said Garza, who noted that West Nile activity is more rampant in the summer months.
According to the California Department of Public Health’s website, the number of people infected by West Nile virus has declined in California over the past two years following a spike in 2012 and an even larger spike in 2014.
San Joaquin County Public Health Department epidemiologists said the number of cases in San Joaquin County have been fairly steady, with an average of nine cases per year in the past five years and 2015 being exceptionally low. Four people have reportedly died from West Nile virus in San Joaquin County over the past five years.
According to Dommer, more people might be infected with West Nile virus than officially reported because the majority of people can take care of the symptoms at home and don’t seek medical attention.
Approximately 80 percent of people who are infected with West Nile virus will not show any symptoms at all, according to the Center for Disease Control.
Symptoms of West Nile include fever, headache, back pain, muscle aches, lack of appetite sore throat, nausea, vomiting abdominal pain and diarrhea. Symptoms usually last for three to six days.
More severe symptoms include muscle weakness, stiff neck, confusion and loss of consciousness. People experiencing severe symptoms are urged to seek medical attention.
Residents and visitors of San Joaquin County can reduce their risk of contracting West Nile virus infection and other mosquito-transmitted diseases by eliminating all sources of standing water on their properties, applying insect repellent containing DEET or Picaridin, avoiding time outside when mosquitoes are most active, wearing long pants and long sleeves outside and installing tight-fitting screen doors.