County reports 2023’s first 2 cases of West Nile virus
The first two human cases of West Nile virus this year in Riverside County have been confirmed by the public health department, according to a news release Friday.
One of the residents, from the western portion of the county, required hospitalization, while the other person, from the San Gorgonio Pass area, is recovering at home, according to health officials. There was no indication that the two cases are related.
West Nile virus is the leading cause of mosquito-borne disease in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The virus spreads when a female mosquito bites an infected bird. The mosquito then can become a carrier and transmit the virus to people.
There have been 23 human cases of the mosquito-borne illness reported in California this year.
Most people infected with West Nile virus do not feel symptoms, but about one in five develop a fever and other symptoms. About one out of 150 infected people develop a serious, sometimes fatal, illness, according to the CDC.
Here are some ways residents can protect themselves:
● Avoid spending time outside when mosquitoes are most active, especially at dawn and dusk, and wear pants, long sleeves, and other protective clothing outdoors
● Apply EPA-registered insect repellent that contains DEET, following the instructions on the product label. If you are using sunscreen, apply sunscreen first, then repellent
● Make sure doors and windows have tight-fitting screens. Repair or replace screens that have tears or holes
● Eliminate all sources of standing water, such as old tires, buckets, flowerpots and toys that can support mosquito breeding. Empty and scrub the water sources. Some mosquitoes can even breed in the amount of water in a bottle cap
● Anyone who becomes ill after mosquito exposure should contact their health care provider
Riverside County's Disease Control office can be reached at 951-358-5107. Information about mosquito abatement is available at RivCoEH.org/mosquitosurveillance-and-treatment
Ema Sasic covers entertainment and health in the Coachella Valley. Reach her at ema.sasic@desertsun.com or on Twitter @ema_sasic.