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| PRESS RELEASE Date: August 4, 1997 From: Shasta Mosquito and Vector Control District Contact persons: John Albright, Biologist and Public Information Specialist Subject: Mosquito-Transmitted Western Equine Encephalitis Detected in Shasta County Text: Officials of the California State Viral and Rickettsial Disease Lab notified the Shasta Mosquito and Vector Control District on July 31 that Western Equine Encephalitis (WEE) was detected in a blood sample from a chicken in one of the district's sentinel chicken flocks. The Shasta Mosquito and Vector Control District maintains five such flocks spread throughout the district to detect the transmission of encephalitis virus in the area. WEE is a virus that can cause serious disease in humans and horses. It is most commonly found in the bird population, which is the purpose of the sentinel chicken flocks. Although the virus does not cause disease symptoms in most birds they will produce antibodies to encephalitis which can be detected in the chickens long before the virus is spread to humans or horses. Blood samples from the chickens are taken by district personnel and sent to the state lab for testing on a regular basis to alert officials in the event that the virus is being transmitted in the district according to district biologist, John Albright. Although the encephalitis virus has been detected in sentinel chicken flocks throughout the state there have been no reported cases of the disease in humans or horses in California so far this year. The virus is spread to birds and other hosts such as man by the blood feeding activity of female Culex tarsalis mosquitoes. The Shasta Mosquito and Vector Control District routinely maintains an active mosquito control program this time of year to minimize annoyance from mosquitoes and to prevent the possible spread of disease by these pests. The district's routine control work concentrates on killing mosquito larvae by use of mosquitofish, drainage improvement, and the use of modern, environmentally friendly chemical controls. Presence of WEE in the Shasta Mosquito and Vector Control District will lead to intensified mosquito control work which includes aerosol treatments for adult mosquitoes to reduce the risk of transmission of WEE to humans and horses within the district according to district operations supervisor, Audie Butcher. People most at risk of contracting WEE are people with compromised immune systems, the elderly and infants. The severity of symptoms of this mosquito-borne disease varies widely among individuals affected. Once infected, individuals may experience slight flu-like symptoms, headache, and/or dizziness in mild cases. In the worst cases, the virus can lead to severe inflamation of the brain, coma, permanent brain damage or death in severely affected individuals. People experiencing disease symptoms should contact their physician. The disease can also be fatal to horses and has been implicated in deaths of emus and other large birds. During the summer, residents of Shasta County are advised to take precautions to limit their exposure to mosquitoes. Use of mosquito repellent and light-colored loose fitting clothing is recommended particularly from dusk to dawn when Culex tarsalis mosquitoes are most likely to be biting. Shasta County residents are also urged to be vigilant in eliminating mosquito sources around their yards. Excess sprinkler runoff, discarded containers, ornamental ponds, and debris which create pools of water can provide prime habitat for mosquito larvae. The Shasta Mosquito and Vector Control District provides mosquito fish free of charge to residents within the district to feed on larvae of mosquitoes in larger, permanent, standing water sources. To report mosquito problems, obtain mosquito fish, or get more information about mosquitoes residents within the district can contact the Shasta Mosquito and Vector Control District at 365-3768 or e-mail them at . Shasta Mosquito and Vector Control District also provides a wealth of information on mosquitoes and other pests at their web site: Shasta MVCD Home Page . Email:
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