West Nile Virus

[lynnc]

Today I found a dead stellar jay in my driveway. Knowing it could not have hit a window because it was by the garage, I called animal control and they gave me phone number for West Nile Virus hotline.  I called them at 877-968-2473.  They are very interested in any dead birds in California and they ask questions about the bird.  If they deem it necessary, they will actually come and pick it up.  Of course, being Friday afternoon, they decided not to come and pick it up.  But they do want to be called about dead birds.  The website is westnile.ca.gov

[angelwolf326]

Thanks for the heads up Lynn......  I found a dead bird, but it was right under my window, so I guess he hit it....  I have 2 buried there now from that, so I put up a sun shade in front of the window.....

[K9luvr]

I can't believe all the scare about WNV.  The people who are at risk are the elderly, very young, and those who are already sick.  It is very rare for a healthy person to be infected and get seriously ill from WNV.  In fact, if you get it as a healthy child or adult, you don't have to worry about it in the future as you have an immunity.  Look at the numbers of people who have been made ill or die from WNV and all of the mosquito patrol efforts.  Now, look at the numbers of people who are killed or seriously hurt on the roadways of southern CA.  Why don't we have a big "FOR GOSH SAKES, WHATEVER YOU DO, STAY OFF THE ROADS!!!" campaign?   It just strikes me as odd....   

[Chuck]

Hey K9Luvr, how do you like your new surroundings?? 

[lagomorphmom]

I can't believe all the scare about WNV.  The people who are at risk are the elderly, very young, and those who are already sick.  It is very rare for a healthy person to be infected and get seriously ill from WNV.........

I agree that the morbidity and mortality rate is low for WNV; however, if it is one's own 'at risk' relative who dies, it is another story and it's still important to track the epidemiology of 'new' infectious agents to humans. We are what, 3 or so years into this now, so hindsight is, well, you know. We have a friend who is "the otherwise healthy individual" who got it in '05. Knocked him down pretty good for quite awhile.

I'm not saying this for folks to be concerned, I wouldn't be surprised if the mortality for flu is more (I didn't look it up).  I would just like to remind folks to not dilly-dally about going to the doctor. You know your body best  - if you're not 'right', have something you've never had before, or are 'knocked on your butt', get yourself in.

[lynnc]

We are concerned about WNV because we have horses in West Cajon Valley and they are very susceptible to it.  We do get our horses vacccinated, but not everyone does.  So we want to be aware of any cases in the area.

[Wrightwood]

[tcaarabians]

Well fudge.. I had a response to this and somehow lost it.

Anyway.. if you're concerned about West Nile go to the Calif Dept of Health/West Nile link. Just google it.  They consistently monitor and report outbreaks.  There really is very little here so far in Ca. . I used to have my horses vaccinated.. I no longer do. I just watch to see what is going on.  cheryl o7o

[Wrightwood]

http://wp.sbcounty.gov/dph/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2018/09/NR-First-locally-acquired-human-case-of-West-Nile-virus-reported-in-High-Desert.pdf