Health officials urge prevention after West Nile death in Butte County

A Butte County resident has died from West Nile Virus complications. The county’s public health department announced the death Friday, and said the victim’s infection was confirmed on Aug. 14.

People get West Nile Virus by being bitten by mosquitoes that have been infected by birds.

Most people who contract the virus are asymptomatic. About 20% will experience flu-like symptoms treatable with over-the-counter medication, hydration and bed rest. But in rare cases the virus can be deadly.

Lisa Almaguer, public information officer for the Butte County Department of Public Health, said potentially fatal infections happen in less than 1% of all cases.

“This typically includes neurological symptoms that can be encephalitis or meningitis or other nerve related symptoms,” Almaguer said. “They typically end up in the hospital and sometimes will succumb to their illness, as the person did in this case.”

Cases peak in August and September, Almaguer said. The department advises residents to try to avoid getting the virus.

Almaguer said the best way is to steer clear of mosquitoes. That means staying inside during the dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active.

“If you can't avoid dusk and dawn and you need to be outside during that time, make sure you've got an insect repellent,” she said, “and make sure that you're wearing lightweight long pants and a long top.”

She also said to get rid of any standing water near your home because mosquitoes lay eggs in still pools of water.

“Thousands of them can breed in just a small cap full of water. So make sure that you just do a surveillance of your property and get rid of that standing water,” she said.

People over the age of 50, and people with underlying health conditions like diabetes or hypertension, are more at-risk residents, Almaguer said.