San Juan Bautista – The county Public Health Services Department confirmed yesterday that a dead bird found in San Juan Bautista tested positive for West Nile virus, which is transmitted to humans and animals through mosquito bites. It is the first evidence of the virus in the county.
A dozen dead birds from San Benito County have been sent to the state department of health services to be tested for West Nile. This is the first to test positive.
No human cases of West Nile infection have been reported, and risk of serious illness from infection is low for humans, Health Officer Dr. Elizabeth Falade said in a press release Thursday.
“Most individuals who are infected with WNV will not experience any illness,” she said. “Less than 1 percent of individuals will develop serious neurological illnesses such as encephalitis and meningitis.”
Both the county Public Health Department and the Environmental Health Department have responded to the WNV threat.
The local Public Health Department continues to monitor activity of the virus throughout the state with help from other counties.
The department also combined its efforts with the Environmental Health Department and the Agricultural Commissioner to complete a public education campaign that was designed to raise awareness about the virus throughout the county.
In July the grand jury criticized San Benito County for doing “too little, too late,” to fight West Nile virus, stating that the county would have to react to cases of the virus instead of preventing them with “care and forethought.”
County officials disputed findings, saying they’re making as much headway as they can considering the county’s financial woes.
One of the jury’s biggest gripes was that no single agency has taken the lead in addressing the problem.
However, last month Agricultural Commissioner Paul Matulich secured a state grant for San Benito County for mosquito abatement. The county will receive more than $185,000 from the state to reduce local mosquito populations in an attempt to prevent the spread of the virus.
The grant is part of a $12 million state mosquito abatement effort.
Last year, five infected birds were found in the county. This year’s mosquito season started in May and could stretch through November.
Brett Rowland covers agriculture. He can be reached at 831-637-5566 ext. 330 or br******@***********ws.com.
