News Flash

Health & Human Services

Posted on: April 14, 2015

West Nile testing starts April 15

As the weather warms up, the mosquito population increases. Starting April 15, the West Nile Virus (WNV) Surveillance Program hotline will be up and running and people can call in to report dead birds and tree squirrels.

Last year, California had a record-breaking number of WNV cases. Since the beginning of this year, WNV has been confirmed in five California counties. There has been no WNV activity confirmed in Humboldt County yet this year, which is not uncommon for the cooler, coastal climate, said Kevin Metcalfe, Consumer Protection Program supervisor for the Department of Health & Human Services, Environmental Health Division (DEH).

“It takes several weeks of warm temperatures for the virus to intensify and several cycles of disease transmission for the virus to cause illness,” Metcalfe said. “The local climate makes it difficult for the disease to spread. This allows us to control mosquitoes with commonsense methods that avoid the use of pesticides.”

Last year Humboldt County confirmed WNV in two birds. There has never been a confirmed human case in the county.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), most people get infected with WNV after getting bitten by an infected mosquito. Mosquitoes become infected when they feed on infected birds. Infected mosquitoes can spread the virus to other animals and humans.

Most people who become infected with WNV do not develop any symptoms. According to the CDC, about one in five people will develop a fever with other symptoms such as headache, body aches, joint pains, vomiting, diarrhea or rash. Less than 1 percent of those infected will develop a serious neurologic illness.

Even though the prevalence of WNV is low in Humboldt County, local residents are still advised to follow safety measures, especially when traveling to areas where WNV is more common.

One of the best ways to avoid WNV is to prevent mosquito bites, according to the CDC. Avoid mosquito-infested areas especially at dawn and dusk when the insects are most active. People who are going to be outside during the early morning or early evening hours are advised to wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants, shoes and socks.

The CDC also recommends using EPA-registered insect repellants such as DEET, Picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus for long-lasting protection against mosquito bites. Always use repellents as directed by the manufacturer.

People are also encouraged to mosquito-proof their homes. The CDC suggests people install or repair screens on windows and doors to keep mosquitoes outside. Also, help reduce the number of mosquitoes by emptying standing water from flower pots, gutters, buckets, pet water dishes, discarded tires and bird baths.

“Standing water is a breeding source for mosquitoes,” Metcalfe said. “People should limit the number of places for mosquitoes to lay their eggs by getting rid of items that hold water.”

Residents are encouraged to contact the Division of Environmental Health at 707-445-6215 or toll-free at 800-963-9241 when high concentrations of mosquitoes or man-made/artificial breeding sources are encountered in Humboldt County.

Starting April 15, WNV dead birds and tree squirrels can be reported by calling 1-877-968-2473. These reports are important because they can be the first indication of WNV in an area, according to the CDPH. For more information, visit http://westnile.ca.gov.

-###-

Follow us on Twitter: @HumCoDHHS.

PDF Release
Facebook Twitter Email

Other News in Health & Human Services

This summer stay safe near the water

Posted on: June 17, 2021

Cyanobacteria in the Mad River

Posted on: May 28, 2021

Low-cost rabies vaccines

Posted on: May 25, 2021

Wet weather test period begins today

Posted on: March 8, 2021

Three test positive at Sempervirens

Posted on: December 15, 2020

Holiday Food Safety

Posted on: November 23, 2020

Quitting smoking starts with one day

Posted on: November 13, 2020

Dry weather test period extended

Posted on: October 2, 2020

Cyanobacteria confirmed in Mad River

Posted on: September 15, 2020

Low-cost rabies vaccines available

Posted on: July 28, 2020

COVID-19 CDC guidance for businesses

Posted on: February 24, 2020

Dental Health Fair offers free screenings

Posted on: February 19, 2020

Wet weather test period begins today

Posted on: February 3, 2020
Dr. Frankovich, DHHS Health Officer

County welcomes new Health Officer

Posted on: January 30, 2020

Food safety helps keep holidays healthy

Posted on: November 26, 2019
DHHSConnectFall2019_Thumb

DHHS Connect Fall 2019

Posted on: November 22, 2019

Quitting smoking starts with one day

Posted on: November 20, 2019

Restaurant inspection records now online

Posted on: November 4, 2019

Food safety during a power outage

Posted on: October 25, 2019

Water efficiency workshop scheduled

Posted on: September 17, 2019

Second annual Healthy Snack Day coming up

Posted on: September 11, 2019

Seventh annual Wellness Week kicks off

Posted on: August 12, 2019
SpringConnect2019_sm

DHHS Connect Summer 2019

Posted on: July 3, 2019
DHHSConnect_Spring2019

Spring 2019 DHHS Connect

Posted on: April 19, 2019

Wet weather test period extended

Posted on: March 29, 2019

Wet weather test period begins today

Posted on: February 11, 2019
WinterDHHSConnect

Winter DHHS Connect

Posted on: December 17, 2018

Make holiday food safety a priority

Posted on: November 19, 2018

Dry weather test period extended

Posted on: October 1, 2018
DHHSConnect-Summer2018

DHHS Connect - Summer 2018

Posted on: September 6, 2018

Sixth annual Wellness Week planned

Posted on: August 2, 2018

June 27 is National HIV Testing Day

Posted on: June 25, 2018

This single question can save a life

Posted on: June 12, 2018

May is Hepatitis Awareness Month

Posted on: May 17, 2018
DHHS Connect Spring 2018

DHHS Connect Spring 2018

Posted on: April 18, 2018

CWS opens Office of the Ombudsperson

Posted on: April 13, 2018

LAMP approved by North Coast Water Board

Posted on: February 22, 2018

Wet weather test period begins today

Posted on: January 29, 2018
SquareCover-Winter2018

DHHS Connect Winter 2018

Posted on: January 11, 2018

Start 2018 with emergency preparedness

Posted on: December 21, 2017

Make holiday food safety a priority

Posted on: November 21, 2017

Final LAMP available for review

Posted on: October 31, 2017
10-2017_Square-NewsFlash

DHHS Connect Fall 2017

Posted on: October 4, 2017

Dry weather test period extended

Posted on: October 3, 2017

Cyanobacteria confirmed in Big Lagoon

Posted on: September 1, 2017
DHHSConnect0717

DHHS Connect Summer 2017

Posted on: July 11, 2017

Low-cost rabies vaccines available

Posted on: May 10, 2017

New Public Health Director Named

Posted on: May 3, 2017

Redwood Coast Career Fair Tuesday

Posted on: April 26, 2017

Wet weather test period extended

Posted on: April 17, 2017

Career Fair scheduled for May 2

Posted on: April 14, 2017

DHHS Connect Spring 2017

Posted on: April 10, 2017

Cal-Learn helps young parents thrive

Posted on: March 17, 2017

Make preteen vaccines a priority

Posted on: February 14, 2017

Dog tests positive for rabies

Posted on: February 7, 2017

Cervical health promoted

Posted on: January 27, 2017

Kick smoking for good in 2017

Posted on: January 11, 2017

DHHS Connect Winter 2016-2017

Posted on: December 28, 2016

Keep the holidays happy with food safety

Posted on: December 21, 2016

Volunteers needed for Point-in-Time count

Posted on: December 15, 2016

Wet weather test period opens

Posted on: December 12, 2016

World AIDS Day recognized Dec. 1

Posted on: November 29, 2016

Veterans' service recognized year-round

Posted on: November 8, 2016

Housing campaign exceeds goal

Posted on: November 2, 2016

DHHS Connect Oct. 2016

Posted on: October 6, 2016

Housing campaign hits goal early

Posted on: September 15, 2016

Orleans cat tests positive for rabies

Posted on: September 2, 2016

Blue-green algae warning issued

Posted on: July 15, 2016

Redwood Coast Career Fair Friday

Posted on: May 16, 2016

Be a hero to a foster child

Posted on: April 15, 2016

Don’t forget preteen vaccines

Posted on: February 8, 2016

Wet weather test period opens

Posted on: December 21, 2015

FluMist Available Now

Posted on: December 3, 2015

Serve up food safety this holiday season

Posted on: November 23, 2015

Schedule back-to-school vaccines now

Posted on: August 17, 2015

World Breastfeeding Week Fair at WIC

Posted on: August 3, 2015

Blue-green algae warning issued

Posted on: June 17, 2015

Keep water recreation fun and safe

Posted on: June 11, 2015

May is Mental Health Month

Posted on: April 30, 2015

Career Fair May 15

Posted on: April 29, 2015

Gonorrhea rates up in Humboldt County

Posted on: April 17, 2015

Vaccines for Preteens

Posted on: February 10, 2015

Foster families urgently needed

Posted on: January 30, 2015

Cervical health promoted

Posted on: January 9, 2015

Wet weather test period opens

Posted on: January 5, 2015