West Nile virus detected in Yuba County for the first time this year

The West Nile virus has been detected in Yuba County for the first time this year, according to a Monday news release from the Sutter-Yuba Mosquito and Vector Control District.

Two mosquito samples collected on July 7 tested positive for the virus — one from the Hallwood area east of Marysville and another from near Wheatland.

West Nile virus is the leading cause of mosquito-borne disease in the U.S., according to the Center for Disease Control. While most infected people are asymptomatic, some may experience fever, headaches and body aches, and less than 1% develop severe illness that may result in hospitalization or death. There is no specific medication to treat the virus.

District manager Stephen Abshier described West Nile virus as “not serious until it is serious.”

“At this point, it’s not just about irritation or annoyance from mosquitoes,” he said of the Yuba Country detection. “Once we know we’ve got disease presence, it’s time to do something different.”

The CDC has seen the earliest start to the West Nile virus season in the country since 2004, with the highest number of human disease cases by this time of year. Earlier this month, the virus was discovered in Butte, Placer, Sacramento and Yolo counties. Sacramento also reported its first human case of the year.

The district’s surveillance traps show numbers of Culex mosquitos — the primary vectors of West Nile virus — are at their highest. The surveillance program remains active, and mosquito control operations are being conducted in areas the virus activity has been detected.

The district encouraged residents to take preventative measures, as avoiding mosquito bites is the most effective way to protect oneself from West Nile virus and other illnesses spread by mosquitos.

“People should be concerned,” Abshier said. “If they are noticing mosquitoes are actively biting, it’s time to do something different, whether that means let’s put a repellent on, let’s put long sleeves, long pants on, let’s limit our outdoor activities.”

Residents should take precautions, even if they live outside of the area where West Nile virus was detected, Abshier added. Although the district does “the best we can with the resources we have,” he explained, there remain locations detection surveillance will miss.

“I don’t like people to get the idea that because they’re not in an area where detection is announced, that they don’t have any worries or concerns,” Abshier said. “So I recommend to all Sutter-Yuba residents now that if mosquitoes are out and biting, they need to do something to prevent bites.”

The public service announcement released by the district outlines the four “D’s” of mosquito prevention:

• Defend: Use insect repellents containing EPA-registered ingredients proven to be effective in preventing bites. These include DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus or IR3535. Follow product instructions, especially when applying to children.
• Dawn and dusk: Limit outdoor activities during dawn and dusk, when mosquitos that transmit West Nile virus are most active. If outdoors, wear protective long-sleeve clothing.
• Doors and windows: Ensure windows and door screens are intact to prevent mosquitos from entering one’s home.
• Drain standing water: Because mosquitos lay eggs in stagnant water, regularly empty flowerpot saucers, buckets, tires, birdbaths and other containers. Report neglected or green swimming pools to the district.

The district also asked residents to report dead birds — early indicators of West Nile virus activity — to the California Department of Public Health at https://westnile.ca.gov or by calling 877-968-2473. Mosquitoes contract the virus when they feed on infected birds.

A warming climate may mean birds migrate to the region earlier than usual, Abshier explained. Because mosquitos require standing water to complete their life cycle, earlier agricultural use of water may also contribute to rising mosquito numbers.

The district usually begins mosquito testing in May, according to Abshier, and conducts weekly tests in many different locations within Sutter and Yuba counties. It commonly detects West Nile virus, whether through mosquitos or dead birds the public reports. Abshier estimated the district usually sees up to a dozen human cases.

Yuba City resident Michelle Reinhart said the disease left her essentially paralyzed, unable to move her hands or head for about two weeks after contracting the disease in 2015. She spent approximately one month in the hospital, before being transferred to a physical rehabilitation facility.

“Emotionally, it was devastating,” she said in a video produced by Yuba College Mass Communications department, recalling how 50 days passed before she saw sunlight again.

“The risk ultimately is low,” Abshier said. “But … if you’re that one person where the consequence and the severity of the infection is bad, you’re going to wish you’d done something different.”

For more information, residents may visit the district website at https://sutter-yubamvcd.org or contact the office at 530-674-5456.