1st Case of West Nile Virus Reported in Central Valley

The West Nile virus, which until now has been focused in Southern California, has arrived in the Central Valley, health officials announced Monday.

Dr. B.A. Jinadu, director of the Kern County Department of Public Health, said a dead bird found in Bakersfield and a mosquito pool taken from Arvin tested positive for the virus this week.

“We have done some good work, which is why the resident was alert enough to call when they found the bird,” Jinadu said.

To date, 28 people and hundreds of birds and mosquito pools have been found infected in San Bernardino, Los Angeles, Riverside, Ventura, Imperial and Kern counties, officials said.

San Bernardino County has had the most people diagnosed as having the virus, prompting officials to declare epidemic conditions in that area. Five members of one family in Fontana were infected with the virus, as well as residents in Colton and Rialto. Seven residents in Los Angeles County have been diagnosed as having the virus. None have died.

Health officials have been predicting that California would be hit hard by the disease this year. The virus came to the United States in 1999, infecting people in New York before moving south and west. Last year, Colorado and Nebraska were the most affected by the virus. Since 1999, about 600 have died.

West Nile virus is transmitted to humans from mosquitoes that feed on infected birds.

Residents are encouraged to wear long sleeves and pants and use insect repellent containing DEET.

Mosquitoes can breed in any amount of water, so health officials recommend that residents rid their property of standing water and properly maintain swimming pools. People have also been encouraged to call local vector control agencies when they find dead birds.