San Joaquin County sees third West Nile virus case

Oakland Tribune, Aug 12, 2007

The San Joaquin County Mosquito and Vector Control District announced that a

44-year-old woman living in the central part of county is the third person to contract West Nile virus this year.

Further details were not released Friday. Health officials do not divulge specifics about those who are infected with the virus.

One person, an 86-year-old man, died from the virus this year. He was the second San Joaquin County resident to succumb to the virus since it was first detected here in 2004.

In California, there have been five deaths this year from the virus, which is transmitted by mosquito bite.

Last year, eight cases of the virus were reported in San Joaquin County.

Ways to reduce the risk of West Nile include applying insect repellent containing the active ingredient DEET or Picaridin, avoiding the outdoors when mosquitoes are most active -- at dawn and at dusk -- and eliminating all sources of standing water, health officials say.