Kern Public Health names June ‘Vector-borne Disease Month'
On Wednesday morning, Kern County Public Health launched June as 'Vector-Borne Disease Month,' part of their year-long disease fighters initiative. The health department joined Kern Mosquito and Vector Control District for an open house to discuss awareness and prevention.
Mosquitoes can transmit diseases like 'West Nile virus' and 'St. Louis Encephalitis'.
Woman arrested after multi-agency pursuit ends with car in orchard
Health officials want to remind the public that preventing mosquitoes from breeding and avoiding mosquito bites are the best ways to avoid getting these diseases.
'They can start right at their homes, they can do weekly walkarounds around their yards…make sure there's no standing water,' said Jay Thao, District Manager with Delano Mosquito Abatement District. 'Mosquitos breed in standing water. So any man-made container that can hold water for a week can produce mosquitos. People can just check their yards and tip and toss any standing water.'
Although most residents who contract these diseases will show no serious symptoms, a small portion of people can experience serious health complications.
You can learn more at the health department's website.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CBS News
10 hours ago
- CBS News
First human cases of West Nile virus detected in Denver, Jefferson County this season
The Denver Department of Public Health and Environment announced Monday that the city's first human case of West Nile virus this season has been confirmed. Officials in Jefferson County have also confirmed their first human cases of the virus, with three people infected. There have been over one dozen cases of West Nile in Colorado this year, which has resulted in one death. According to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, West Nile virus has been found in mosquitoes in eight of the 16 counties that have tested mosquitoes this year, including Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomfield, Denver, Jefferson, Larimer and Weld counties. In Fort Collins, the West Nile infection rate in mosquitoes is currently 11 times higher than the historical average, and four times higher than it was in 2023. The DDPHE is urging residents to take precautions to avoid being bitten by an infected mosquito. Eliminating standing water where mosquitoes breed can help prevent an increase in mosquitoes. Officials said it's important to empty and scrub, turn over, cover or throw out items like tires, buckets, planters, toys, pools, birdbaths and trash containers once a week. Cleaning out street and home gutters that may hold water can also help control the mosquito population. Wearing repellents with DEET, limiting outdoor activity at dawn and dusk and wearing long sleeves and pants outside can all help reduce the risk of being bitten. The city also advised residents to make sure windows and doors have intact screens to keep mosquitoes out and to avoid watering cement or streets, which can create puddles. Those infected with West Nile virus may feel fatigued and experience fever, headaches, body aches and rashes or swollen lymph nodes. Symptoms usually appear within 3-14 days. Officials warned that, while anyone can be infected, those over 50 or with weakened immune systems are at higher risk of developing serious symptoms. Authorities urged anyone experiencing symptoms to consult their healthcare provider immediately.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
Ten deaths reported from West Nile virus in Italy since the start of the year
The death toll from the West Nile virus in Italy since the beginning of the year rose to ten after a 93-year-old woman died at the Spallanzani Institute in Rome. It was the fourth cased verified in the Lazio region. The patient, originally from Cisterna di Latina, had been admitted to San Paulo in Velletri before being transferred to Rome. Three other deaths from the virus were reported last Wednesday. This includes a 76-year-old man from Salerona, a 73-year-old man from Maddaloni and an 86-year-old who was admitted to the Santa Maria Goretti hospital in Latina. He was among the first infected in the area and reportedly suffered with several previous diseases. In its latest report on Thursday, the Italian National Institute of Health reported the following data. It said 57 new human cases of West Nile virus were reported between the 24th and 30th of July. Among the confirmed cased, eight deaths were reported. The lethality rate of the neuro-invasive form of the virus is 20% in 2025 compared to 14% in 2024 and 20% in 2018. Data on West Nile fever in Europe The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control released the latest data on infections in Europe on Thursday. Cases were registered in Italy, Greece, Romania, Bulgaria and France. 25 cases of locally acquired West Nile virus infection were reported for the first time in the 2025 transmission season in one region each in Bulgaria and France. Compared to the previous week, Greece reported cases of West Nile virus infection in three new regions, Italy in seven new regions and Romania in one new region. The highest number of cases (43) was reported in the province of Latina, Italy. What is West Nile fever and how to prevent it West Nile fever causes high fever and rashes. It is a globally widespread viral diseased caused by the West Nile virus. The main hosts of the virus are usually wild birds. Transmission to humans occurs mainly through mosquito bites. In rare cases, it can occur through transplants, transfusion or from mother to foetus. It is not transmitted from person to person through physical contact. Other mammals such as horses and, to a lesser extent, dogs and cats, can also be infected. The incubation period lasts from two to 14 days. Most infected people do not show any symptoms. About 20% develop mild symptoms such as fever, headache, nausea and skin rashes, which usually disappear on their own within a few days. In less than 1% of cases, symptoms can be severe. This includes high fever, disorientation, tremors and, in the most serious cases, paralysis and coma. Diagnosis is made by laboratory tests that look for antibodies in serum or cerebrospinal fluid. There is no vaccine or specific treatment for West Nile fever. Treatment is aimed at managing the symptoms, and in severe cases, hospitalisation may be necessary. Prevention is the only effective strategy and is based on reducing exposure to mosquito bites. It is advised to use insect repellents, wear protective clothing, install mosquito nets and remove still water from containers to prevent mosquito breeding.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Health officials issue warning after finding dead birds with dangerous virus: 'An early warning sign'
Health officials issue warning after finding dead birds with dangerous virus: 'An early warning sign' Three dead birds in California's Sacramento County have tested positive for West Nile virus. What's happening? The Sacramento Bee summarized an announcement from the Sacramento-Yolo Mosquito and Vector Control District, which said these were the first three birds to be identified with the virus in the county this year. However, a mosquito sample 3.5 weeks ago tested positive for the virus. "Finding the first positive birds is always significant because it serves as an early warning sign for West Nile virus activity," Gary Goodman, the district manager, said in a statement. "It confirms the virus is present in our region, helps us identify areas where infected mosquitoes may be found, and provides insight into where human cases could emerge later in the season." Why is West Nile virus important? Although West Nile virus has been in the United States since at least 1999, when it was discovered in New York, recent reports signal that it's showing up earlier in the season. Such is the case in Massachusetts, which recently discovered its first West Nile-carrying mosquitoes for the year. Many scientists attribute this shift to a warming planet, which enables disease-spreading mosquitoes to stay active for longer periods throughout the year. Plus, these bloodsuckers are beginning to expand their ranges and move into higher altitudes. For instance, Connecticut officials are warning residents that a type of mosquito that can carry chikungunya, Zika, and dengue is expected to spread farther and faster across the state in 2025. Symptoms of West Nile include fever, headache, body aches, vomiting, diarrhea, or rash, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. However, the virus sometimes turns deadly. In 2024, the CDC reported 164 deaths attributed to West Nile. The Bee reported that a man in the San Joaquin Valley, which borders Sacramento County, died partly because of the virus, making it the first West Nile-related death in the state this year. What's being done about West Nile? According to the Bee, area officials are spraying insecticide to limit the spread of West Nile, and the Sacramento-Yolo Mosquito and Vector Control District is amping up its efforts to monitor and trap mosquitoes. The district also directs citizens to its website, which has updates and mosquito bite prevention tips, including draining standing water that can attract mosquitoes and avoiding spending time outdoors at dawn and dusk. Meanwhile, communities across the globe are looking for ways to reduce their mosquito populations to protect residents from illnesses such as West Nile. For example, one Florida county is using X-rays to kill invasive mosquitoes. And one neighborhood in the Philippines is paying residents to bring in any mosquitoes they can capture, dead or alive. Do you worry about air pollution in your town? All the time Often Only sometimes Never Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the the daily Crossword
