About the Virus, the Disease, and Its Spread:
West Nile virus is spread by the bite of an infected mosquito, and can infect people, horses, many types of birds, and some other animals. Most people who become infected with West Nile virus will have either no symptoms or only mild ones. On rare occasions, West Nile virus infection can result in a severe and sometimes fatal illness known as West Nile encephalitis (an inflammation of the brain). The risk of severe disease is higher for persons 50 years of age and older. There is no evidence to suggest that West Nile virus can be spread from person to person or from animal to person. Mosquitoes spread this disease from bird to bird, and other animals (like humans) are dead-end hosts to the disease, which means we do not participate in the transmission cycle, except to become ill when infected.Since the initial outbreak of West Nile Virus in the US in 1999, there has been a nationwide rush to increase surveillance and institute adequate mosquito control where it is needed. In California our Department of Health Services "Vector Borne Disease Section" has been on the forefront in preparation for the eventual migration of this disease into our state. In Alameda County our Vector Control Services District and the Mosquito Abatement District are part of that front-line working to mitigate the affect of West Nile Virus in our county.
The best protection from this disease is effective mosquito control, combined with surveillance for WNV's introduction. California has one of the best mosquito control programs in the country and we are actively coordinating with the State in the "Dead Bird Surveillance Program." The program is based on the fact that birds are the reservoir for this disease and some birds (crows, ravens, jays and others) are very sensitive to the virus and die rapidly from it's effects. These "sentinel" birds can give us warning when West Nile Virus enters the disease reservoir population in our state. We are collecting and submitting suitable specimens for testing by the State program. Along with press releases designed to inform the public, we are coordinating with other local organizations in this surveillance effort. Combined with the existing "sentinel chicken monitoring program" that our regional Mosquito Control District's utilize to monitor fowl for other encephalitis diseases already existing in California, we have a good start with our integrated vector management schema.
West Nile Virus Preparation In Alameda County?
The Department of Health Services received a CDC grant to prepare for introduction of West Nile Virus (WNV) into California. The DHS Vector Borne Disease Section, based in Berkeley, has formed a comm.-unication network with the Alameda County Mosquito Abatement District, the Alameda County Vector Control Services District, and The Rabies Surveillance Group (Animal Control Agencies, Lindsay Wildlife Rehabilitation, and Sulphur Creek).
The key DHS information numbers and sites are {http://westnile.ca.gov} and {1-877-WNV-BIRD (1 - 877-968-2473)}.
To avoid confusion for the media, they should direct their inquiries to the above State Health Department Numbers.
The Vector Control District {(510) 567-6800; 1-800-832-8678; 1-800-233-6309}, and the Mosquito Abatement District {(510) 783-7744} will be following state guidelines for screening calls from the public regarding dead birds. If the dead bird meets the criteria set by DHS, ACVCS District or ACMAD staff will be picking up the animal and either shipping or delivering it to a DHS approved lab for testing. The requesting party will be called with the testing results when the analysis is complete.
Additional information can be found at our web page (ACVCSD.org). Currently we are preparing to post a West Nile Virus brochure for the public as well as a list of precautions the individual can take to protect him/her self. We are well ahead of the other western states in preparation for this newly introduced disease, and will continue the effort to minimize exposure to West Nile Virus for the citizens of Alameda County.
Efforts are underway to maintain surveillance over larval source sites for the most common vector of WNV in Northern California, The Northern House Mosquito (Culex pipiens).
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