West Nile Now In Tuolumne County

The West Nile Virus has been detected in Tuolumne County.

County health official S. Todd Stolp, MD released information this morning.

Test results confirmed several dead birds collected early this month in an area from Groveland to Soulsbyville and Sonora were infected with the West Nile Virus.

Four birds – a House Finch, an Acorn Woodpecker, a Western Bluebird, and a Black Headed Grosbeak – submitted to the state virology lab between August 11 and August 16 have returned positive for West Nile Virus.

Tuolumne County now joins 48 other counties in the state to have confirmed the virus.

The Environmental and Public Health Divisions of the Health Department will continue to monitor areas for any evidence of concentrated risk of illness.

Individuals can reduce their risk of mosquito-borne diseases by taking these precautions:

·Avoid spending time outside when mosquitoes are most active, especially at dawn and the first two hours after sunset

·When outdoors, wear long pants and long-sleeved shirts

·Apply insect repellant containing DEET according to label instructions

·Make sure that doors and windows have tight-fitting screens. Repair or replace screens that have tears or holes

·Eliminate all sources of standing water, which can support mosquito breeding.

For additional information on reporting of dead birds in Tuolumne County, please call the Division of Environmental Health between 9:00 AM and 3:00 PM Monday through Friday at 209-533-5990. For questions about human health speak to your health care provider or call the Public Health Division between 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM at 209-533-7401. After hours or on weekends and holidays, call the person on call for the Health Department at 209-533-8055.