West Nile virus found in El Dorado Hills area
West Nile virus has been found in a Western scrub jay in the El Dorado Hills area, El Dorado County Health and Human Services said on Friday.
The bird was found on July 1. The virus was confirmed on July 11. There have been no human cases of West Nile virus in El Dorado County in 2014.
The virus is transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito. The mosquitoes pick up the virus when they feed on infected birds.
The virus is not spread from person to person. Most people infected show no symptoms. Some people may experience fever, severe headache, tiredness and a stiff neck, which may last up to several weeks. The most serious cases of West Nile virus can lead to encephalitis, an inflammation of the brain that can be fatal.
El Dorado County officials said they have mosquito surveillance programs in place throughout the county. The programs include efforts to trap and identify mosquitoes, treat neglected swimming pools and test dead birds and tree squirrels.
Dead birds and tree squirrels can be reported to the State West Nile Virus hotline at 877-968-2473 or online at http://www.westnile.ca.gov.
Mosquito problems and neglected swimming pools can be reported to the El Dorado County Environmental Management Division at 530-621-5300 in Placerville and at 530-573-3450 in South Lake Tahoe.
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