Fontana Woman Has West Nile Virus

A 24-year-old Fontana woman has been hospitalized with West Nile Virus, health officials announced Wednesday.

It is the first human case of West Nile Virus in San Bernardino County this year, county health officials said.

Earlier this summer, 18 in Colton, Fontana, Rialto, and Upland tested positive for West Nile Virus.

In addition, six samples of mosquitoes in Colton, Fontana, Redlands, and San Bernardino and a dead crow in San Bernardino tested positive for West Nile Virus, county health officials said.

Also Wednesday, Riverside County health officials announced a 52-year-old man was infected with West Nile, and he was the first human case of the virus confirmed in Riverside County in 2012. County health officials did not say where the man lived, other than "Western Riverside County." He was recovering at home after being hospitalized.

"West Nile Virus activity across the nation has been at a record-high," San Bernardino County health officials advised.

Across the U.S. in 2012, more than 1,100 human cases of West Nile Virus, including 41 fatalities, had been reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as of Aug. 21. Two deaths have been reported so far this year in California, in Kern and Fresno counties.

More than 80 percent of cases nationwide have been reported in Texas, Mississippi, Louisiana, Oklahoma, South Dakota, and California, San Bernardino County health officials said.

"The 1118 cases reported thus far in 2012 is the highest number of West Nile virus disease cases reported to CDC through the third week in August since West Nile virus was first detected in the United States in 1999," the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website states.

The California Department of Public Health is urging residents to take part in the West Nile Virus surveillance program by reporting dead birds or squirrels to the State West Nile Virus toll-free hotline at (877) WNV- BIRD, or online at www.westnile.ca.gov.

"Property owners with pools are encouraged to keep them clean," San Bernardino County health officials said. "Mosquitoes lay their eggs in unmaintained green pools and can fly up to 1.5 miles per hour, potentially transmitting the virus and impacting entire neighborhoods.

Green pools and other mosquito breeding sites can be reported to the County of San Bernardino Mosquito and Vector Control Program at (800) 442-2283.

San Bernardino County health officials offered the following tips to residents to protect themselves and their families from West Nile Virus:

• Drain or Dump: Remove all standing water around your property where mosquitos lay eggs such as birdbaths, green swimming pools, ponds, old tires, buckets, clogged gutters, or even puddles from leaky sprinklers.

• Dawn and Dusk:  Avoid spending time outside when mosquitos are most active.

• Dress: Wear shoes, socks, and long pants and long-sleeved shirts that are loose fitting and light colored.

• DEET: Apply insect repellent containing DEET according to manufacturer’s directions.

• Doors: Make sure doors and windows have tight-fitting screens. Repair or replace screens that have tears or holes to prevent mosquitos from entering your home.

For more information, contact the County of San Bernardino Department of Public Health, Division of Environmental Health Services at (800) 442-2283 or visit www.sbcounty.gov/dehs.

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