California residents are encouraged to take precautions against disease spread by mosquitoes after six deaths were recorded in the state from the West Nile virus and dengue, according to the California Department of Public Health.
The California Department of Public Health has counted 63 cases of the West Nile virus among the six fatalities this year.
In Los Angeles County, four people caught dengue in August and September without traveling outside of the country. These cases are the first documented in Southern California.
CDPH is encouraging all Californians to reduce the risk of infection and mosquito bites.
“It’s important to remember that mosquitoes are still active well into cooler months,” said Tomás Aragón, the director and state public health officer for CDPH, in a news release. “Everyone in California can protect themselves by using mosquito repellent and making sure there is not standing water where disease-carrying mosquitoes grow.”
How do I protect myself from mosquitoes?
CDPH lists the following as the ways to prevent exposure to diseases brought by mosquito bites and their bites:
▪ Use Environmental Protection Agency-registered mosquito repellent on clothes and exposed skin.
▪ Wear long sleeves and pants.
▪ Practice mosquito yard control. This includes dumping and draining any standing water where mosquitoes could breed, ensuring doors and windows have tight-fitted screens and reporting day-biting mosquitoes to a local control agency.
▪ Stay in air conditioned places while traveling. If you’re somewhere without air conditioning, the CDPH recommends staying in spaces with window and door screens.
▪ While sleeping outside, it is recommended to use a mosquito bed net.
▪ For three weeks after traveling, use mosquito repellent to prevent the spread of viruses. Even if you don’t feel ill or recall being bitten, exposure is still possible.
What is the West Nile virus and dengue?
The West Nile virus is an illness that typically occurs during mosquito season, which happens in the summer and throughout the fall.
While there is no vaccine or medicine to treat the West Nile virus, about 80% of those infected will not feel sick after catching the illness. The remaining 20% who do face symptoms will experience fever, headache, body aches, nausea and vomiting.
According to CDPH, only 1% of those with the West Nile virus will become sick to the point where it impacts an individual’s brain and or nervous system.
Dengue fever is a mosquito-borne illness that is typical in tropical areas in the world. The likelihood of the disease being acquired in California is low.
About 75% of those infected with dengue will never develop symptoms. In the cases someone does feel sick, they will experience a mild to severe fever, aches and pain, nausea and vomiting.
Clinical testing guides and a case management guide for physicians of patients who catch either virus is available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
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