San Diego County Reports 6 New West Nile Virus Cases

San Diego County has seen a major spike in the number of dead birds found infected with West Nile virus

Six more people have tested positive for West Nile virus, San Diego County officials announced Thursday.

As of this week, there have been 17 confirmed cases in the county. Two people have died. To compare, the county had 11 confirmed cases in 2014.

Those affected range in age from 26 to 80 years old and live in Del Mar, El Cajon, Ramona, San Diego and Santee.

The two fatalities were identified by county officials as a 79-year-old San Diego woman who tested positive September 23 and a 73-year-old El Cajon man who tested positive October 6.

NBC 7 has mapped the West Nile cases by zip code.

Additionally, county health officials say they are testing 14 more cases -- including two deaths -- that could be due to West Nile.

If the deaths are confirmed, a total of four death would set a new record, according to the county health department. There were two deaths associated with West Nile last year.

The number of cases of the disease reached a peak in 2008 with 37.

West Nile virus is not transmitted from person to person. People can contract the virus through a mosquito bite so it’s important that San Diego County residents eliminate areas where mosquitoes can breed.

However, 2015 has seen a huge spike in the number of infected dead birds: 278 compared to 41 in 2014. Workers have also collected 40 batches of infected mosquitoes this year, while they only had six last year.

According to the county health department, 80 percent of people who become infected with West Nile have no symptoms. Of the 20 percent who do get sick, most have headaches, fever, nausea, fatigue, rashes or swollen glands.

One in 150 of infected patients develop possibly life-threatening neurological complications, which increase in people over 50 years old and those with weakened immune systems, health officials say.

Additionally, officials recommend staying inside during peak mosquito activity, around dusk and dawn.

Insect repellant that contains DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus or IR3535 is best to keep mosquitoes away when spending time outdoors.

Dead birds and green swimming pools should be reported to the Vector Control program at (858) 694-2888 or by emailing vector@sdcounty.ca.gov.
 

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