County Confirms First Case of Human West Nile Virus in 2024
Last updated 10/20/2024 at 9:10am
County public health officials report that a 71-year-old man tested positive for West Nile virus. This is the first human case of West Nile virus reported in the county this year.
The man is currently hospitalized and had recently traveled to rural Colorado, where he likely contracted the virus.
While this case is not thought to have been contracted in San Diego County, West Nile virus is present here as well, though rare. Earlier this month, a dead bird found in the Clairemont area of San Diego tested positive for West Nile. The most recent human case of West Nile virus in the county was in 2022.
West Nile virus is mainly a bird disease but can be transmitted to people by some species of local mosquitoes that first feed on an infected bird or animal and then a bite a person.
In September, a dead American Crow found in the Clairemont area of San Diego tested positive for West Nile virus, prompting County environmental health officials to remind people to protect themselves from mosquitoes that can transmit the virus to people. The crow is the first dead bird to test positive for the virus in San Diego County this summer.
However, West Nile virus remains a potentially deadly threat. In 2015, 44 San Diego County residents tested positive for West Nile virus and six county residents died.
Eighty percent of people who get West Nile virus do not have any symptoms. About one in five people who are infected get a fever and other symptoms such as headache, nausea, fatigue, skin rash or swollen glands. For about 1 out of 150 infected people, West Nile virus can cause serious illness and may be fatal resulting in death.
Protecting against mosquitoes is always important in San Diego County.
Community members can follow the County’s Prevent, Protect and Report guidelines to help keep themselves and their families healthy. These guidelines help protect against the Culex mosquitoes that carry West Nile virus as well as the ankle-biting invasive Aedes mosquitoes that can transmit other diseases, including Zika, dengue and chikungunya, if they first bite an infected person and then bite someone else.
Prevent mosquito breeding
Dump out or remove any item inside or outside of homes that can hold water, such as plant saucers, rain barrels, buckets, garbage cans, toys, old tires, and wheelbarrows. Mosquito fish, available for free by contacting the Vector Control Program, may be used to control mosquito breeding in backyard water sources such as stagnant swimming pools, ponds, fountains, and horse troughs.
Protect yourself from mosquito bites
Protect yourself from mosquito-borne illnesses by wearing long sleeves and pants or use insect repellent when outdoors. Use insect repellent that contains DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, para-menthane-diol, 2-undecanone or IR3535. Make sure screens on windows and doors are in good condition and secured to keep insects out.
Report possible mosquito activity and dead birds
Report increased mosquito activity, or stagnant, green swimming pools and other mosquito-breeding sources, as well as dead birds – dead crows, ravens, jays, hawks and owls – to the County Vector Control Program by calling (858) 694-2888 or emailing vector@sdcounty.ca.gov.
Go to San Diego County’s “Fight the Bite” website at https://www.sandiegocounty.gov/deh/pests/wnv.html to learn how to prevent and protect from these mosquitoes.