Santa Clara County public well being officers introduced on Thursday the county’s first human case of West Nile virus for the season, confirmed in an individual who was reported to be resting at dwelling after a hospitalization.
The individual, solely recognized as an grownup as a consequence of medical privateness legal guidelines, contracted the mosquito-borne illness in one other county inside California, however their analysis was reported in Santa Clara County as a consequence of their residence.
On Monday, the Santa Clara County Vector Management District introduced that West Nile Virus-positive mosquitos have been present in elements of San Jose and Milpitas. That record expanded to incorporate Sunnyvale and Santa Clara on Tuesday. The district introduced plans to spray probably contaminated areas with Zenivex, an insecticide that targets and kills grownup mosquitoes.
Residents don’t must relocate in the course of the operations, the district mentioned, including that mosquito remedies pose minimal threat when utilized by a licensed skilled. However these wishing to take additional precautions can stay indoors with home windows and doorways shut whereas the operation is underway. Remedies take about 4 hours.
Just about all transmissions of the illness are by way of mosquito bites, in accordance with the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention. In extraordinarily uncommon instances, it could possibly be unfold by way of blood transfusions, organ transplants, being pregnant and breast feeding.
The season for highest transmission of the illness runs from summer season by way of early fall, a window that follows elevated mosquito exercise that begins in spring.
In keeping with the Public Well being Division, the virus has a low threat of significant sickness for most individuals beneath the age of 60 that don’t have sure medical circumstances, and most of the people who contract is expertise gentle or no signs. Those that do expertise signs may obtain fevers, complications, physique aches, and in extreme instances, neurological signs.
One individual died from the virus in Santa Clara County in November of final 12 months. In keeping with the Public Well being Division, the individual contracted the illness in Contra Costa County.
The Vector Management District mentioned it’s regular to see a rise in West Nile Virus throughout summer season and early fall seasons as a result of mosquitos thrive in hotter climate. The district recommends draining all receptacles that would comprise standing water, similar to plant and water pots.
