Empty heading

g

 West Nile Virus 2023 Updates

To stay up-to-date on West Nile Virus activity in Sutter County as of August 2023, be sure to watch the news items for updates as we receive them.

Fight the Bite!

West Nile Virus (WNV) is transmitted to humans and animals through a mosquito bite. Mosquitoes become infected when they feed on infected birds. Individuals can reduce their risk of mosquito-borne WNV by reducing their exposure to mosquito bite. Best practices include:

• Avoid time outside during the dusk and dawn hours
• When outdoors wear long pants and long-sleeved shirts
• Apply insect repellent containing DEET according to label instructions
• Make sure all doors and windows have tight-fitting screens
• Eliminate all sources of standing water on your property that can support mosquito breeding. Report green swimming pools to the district office at 530-674-5456 ext. 0
• Contact your local mosquito and vector control agency if there is a significant mosquito problem where you live or work
• Report dead birds to the California Department of Public Health website at www.westnile.ca.gov or by phone at 877-968-2473

Most individuals who are infected by WNV will not experience any illness. Others will have mild to moderate symptoms similar to the flu. WNV can cause severe illness in some, causing brain swelling and death. Those at greatest risk for severe disease are the immune suppressed and the elderly.

You can be part of Sutter County's surveillance program by reporting any crows, ravens, magpies, jays, sparrows, finches and raptors that may have been dead less than 48 hours to a special statewide toll-free hotline: 877-WNV-BIRD. This number also has recorded information on WNV in California and WNV symptoms in humans. It also provides callers the name and number of their local mosquito control agency.

Information can be obtained online at California West Nile Information Center.

Additional Links

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): https://www.cdc.gov/westnile/index.html

CA Department of Public Health (CDPH): West Nile virus (ca.gov)

Archived News

The Sutter-Yuba Mosquito and Vector Control District detected the first evidence of West Nile virus in Sutter County in June 2022. A mosquito sample recently collected in the Tierra Buena area tested positive for the virus.

View 2022 PSA HERE