A stinging mosquito season continues with test results that show mosquitoes in Fillmore tested positive for West Nile Virus.
There have been no reported human cases of the virus in Ventura County this year but the positive tests received July 7 by Ventura County Environmental Health are the first such results for mosquitoes in the region since 2019. They come on top of hot weather that brings increased mosquito activity and reports of two dead birds infected with the virus and found in the city of Ventura in May.
“We’ve been busy,” said Steve Solomon of the county’s mosquito and vector control program, urging people to protect themselves against the insects. “This is above normal for what we’ve seen in the last five years.”
It’s not just Ventura County. U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention officials said this month they are seeing the earliest start to the West Nile virus season nationwide and the highest number of human disease cases since 2004 with 48 cases as of June 28.
West Nile virus causes no illness in many people but about 1 in 5 people who are infected can develop fever, body aches and nausea. In rare cases, the virus can trigger encephalitis or meningitis. It can be fatal.
The last time there was a known human case in Ventura County was 2023 but the increased mosquito activity this year should be interpreted as a call for people to take preventive steps, Solomon said. They should clear standing water from their properties, wear insect repellent approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and make sure screens attach tightly to doors and windows with no holes.
Winter rain followed by record heat helped spur an early start to mosquito season this year. Insect control specialists worried not just about the culex mosquitoes that carry West Nile but also about day-biting Aedes aegypti mosquitoes.
Culex mosquitoes are dark and light brown, sometimes with pale bands. The Aedes aegypti mosquitoes are small and black with white stripes on their backs and legs. They were first found in Ventura County in 2020 and are most prevalent in the cities with hotter weather.
This year, Aedes aegypti mosquitoes have been found in 27 different locations stretching from Ojai to Simi Valley. They have the potential to carry viruses including dengue, Zika, chikungunya and yellow fever. There had once been no reports of mosquitoes carrying the viruses in California, but in recent years multiple cases of dengue have emerged, all outside of Ventura County.
In their prevention steps, Ventura County Environmental Health leaders recommend people wear loose-fitting long sleeves and pants when mosquitoes are active. They recommend using repellent containing Picaridin, DEET, Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus or IR3535.
People can report mosquitoes or standing water by calling the mosquito complaint hotline at 805-658-4310 or filing a report online at eco.vcrma.org.
They can request mosquito-eating fish for ornamental ponds and water features at 805-662-6582. Dead birds can be reported for West Nile virus testing by calling 877-968-2473 or visiting westnile.ca.gov.
Tom Kisken covers health care and other news for the Ventura County Star. Reach him at tom.kisken@vcstar.com.
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This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Test showing infected mosquitoes underscores West Nile risks in county
Reporting by Tom Kisken, Ventura County Star / Ventura County Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Tom Kisken, Ventura County Star | USA TODAY Network
