November 3, 2008
The San Bernardino County valley continues to have positive indicators of West Nile virus (WNV) activity. San Bernardino County reported 3 additional human cases this week, bringing the year-to-date total to 21. Three dead birds tested positive for WNV in Fontana (1), and Yucaipa (2), bringing our year-to-date total to 170 positive dead birds. Two additional mosquito pools tested positive in Yucaipa and San Bernardino. Four additional sentinel chickens tested positive (sero-conversions) for WNV in San Bernardino, Fontana, Ontario and Rancho Cucamonga. Though human cases may have been acquired up to 2 months ago, positive mosquito pools, dead birds and chickens would have been infected within the last 2 weeks.
The California Department of Food & Agriculture reported no new cases of Equine West Nile Virus in the state this week.
The total number of confirmed cases of Equine West Nile Virus in California for 2008 is 29, with 17 horses having died or being euthanized due to the disease.
Equine West Nile Virus protection and prevention efforts continue in the area of Yucaipa affected by San Bernardino County’s only positive case this year.
