California Drought Could Cause Higher Cases of West Nile
Last week, California officials cautioned that the drought, which has 93% of the state under "severe drought," could increase West Nile cases this year. Since mosquitoes need water to develop, birds may be responsible for this year's virus rise. In January, the CDC reported 538 West Nile cases in California, still the most.
In parts of Southern California, mosquitoes haven’t gone into hibernation. The state has been stuck in a persistent drought, which has tricked mosquitoes into thinking it’s still summer and there’s been no rain fall to flush them out of storm drains, so you’ve got a lot of mosquitoes. Since they’re breeding at high rates, the trap counts are showing mosquito counts at where they would typically be in June or July.
An estimated 70 to 80 percent of people who contract the West Nile virus show no symptoms, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. About one in five people who are infected will develop a rash, plus other symptoms like headache, body aches, joint pains, vomiting or rash. Less than 1 percent of people infected with the virus will develop a serious neurologic illness, like encephalitis or meningitis, according to the CDC.
If you’re in California, there are some easy precautions you can start taking to make sure you lessen the risk of mosquitoes breeding in your yard.
- Mosquitos breed in standing water so regularly empty ponds, bird baths, fountains, plant pots, buckets, barrels, tarps, kid toys, pet water dishes or anywhere else that water may gather.
- Clean out gutters and examine them for damage that would cause water to collect.
- Drill holes in tire swings, trash cans or recycle bins so water drains out.
- Keep swimming pools clean, properly circulated and filtered. Keep children’s wading pools empty and on their sides when they aren’t being used.
- Cut grass and shrubs short, as adult mosquitoes gather to rest in shady, cool areas. Keep your yard weed-free and avoid overgrown vegetation.
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