FRESNO, Calif. (KMJ) — The Fresno County Department of Public Health (FCDPH) confirmed a human death caused by West Nile Virus (WNV).
The department has reported nine positive human cases of WNV this year, and that number is expected to increase.
There 14 positive cases and one death reported in Fresno County in 2021.
According to the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) in 2021, there were 129 reported WNV cases in the state, including 12 deaths.
Since WNV was first introduced into California in 2003, there have been more than 7,300 human WNV cases and more than 330 WNV-related deaths across the state.
“Our heartfelt condolences go to the family and friends. We need to stay vigilant as mosquitoes may continue to cause several severe illnesses, including West Nile Virus infection, which require hospitalization and intensive care,” says Dr. Rais Vohra, Fresno County Interim Health Officer.
To reduce the risk of being bitten by mosquitoes and contracting West Nile virus, Fresno County residents are urged to take the following precautions:
- Apply insect repellents that contain DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus or IR 3535, especially at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active
- Make sure that doors and windows have tight-fitting screens to keep out mosquitoes and repair or replace screens that have holes
- Eliminate standing water and containers that can hold water from around the home
- Contact mosquito abatement districts to report poorly maintained swimming pools or water features that appear green
Residents can also call their Mosquito Abatement District representative or visit www.fresnocountymosquito.org for more information on how to protect their family, their home, and their community from WNV and other mosquito borne illnesses.
To report dead birds and for information on WNV activity in California, visit the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) website or call 1-877-WNV-BIRD.
