Santa Clara County public health officials announced on Thursday the county’s first human case of West Nile virus for the season, confirmed in a persom who was reported to be resting at home after a hospitalization.
The person, only identified as an adult due to medical privacy laws, contracted the mosquito-borne disease in another county within California, but their diagnosis was reported in Santa Clara County due to their residence.
On Monday, the Santa Clara County Vector Control District announced that West Nile Virus-positive mosquitos were found in parts of San Jose and Milpitas. That list expanded to include Sunnyvale and Santa Clara on Tuesday. The district announced plans to spray potentially infected areas with Zenivex, an insecticide that targets and kills adult mosquitoes.
Virtually all transmissions of the disease are through mosquito bites, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In extremely rare cases, it could be spread through blood transfusions, organ transplants, pregnancy and breast feeding.
The season for highest transmission of the disease runs from summer through early fall, a window that follows increased mosquito activity that starts in spring.
According to the Public Health Department, the virus has a low risk of serious illness for most people under the age of 60 that don’t have certain medical conditions, and most people who contract is experience mild or no symptoms. Those who do experience symptoms could receive fevers, headaches, body aches, and in severe cases, neurological symptoms.
One person died from the virus in Santa Clara County in November of last year. According to the Public Health Department, the person contracted the disease in Contra Costa County.
The Vector Control District said it’s normal to see an increase in West Nile Virus during summer and early fall seasons because mosquitos thrive in warmer weather. The district recommends draining all receptacles that could contain standing water, such as plant and water pots.