Health Officials Confirm First Tuolumne County Human West Nile Infection

Sonora, CA — Health officials have confirmed the first case of human West Nile virus infection in Tuolumne County.

County Health Officer Todd Stolp says his office received test results indicating that the woman had been infected but has since fully recovered from the infection.

Stolp warns that it is important for residents to understand the virus is here to stay. Stolp says the number of infected birds in the county has been on a steady decline over the last two years which indicates that the bird population is developing an immunity to the virus.

Mosquitoes transfer the virus to human´s after feeding on the blood of infected birds.

Stolp says that about 80% of humans infected never show any symptoms and fewer than one percent become seriously ill.

Officials recommend avoiding mosquito bites by using insect repellant, wearing long sleeves and pants and staying indoors at dawn and dusk.