LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – A sample of mosquitoes collected Tuesday near Upper Lake tested positive for West Nile Virus.

This is the second sample of West Nile Virus-positive mosquitoes from Lake County this year.

The first West Nile Virus-positive sample was collected on June 19 south of Kelseyville, as Lake County News has reported.

“The hot days – and especially the high temperatures overnight – provide ideal conditions for West Nile Virus to increase in the mosquitoes. Statewide, we’ve seen the number of West Nile Virus-positive mosquito samples double from 70 to 124 West Nile Virus-positive samples just in the last week,” said Jamesina Scott, Ph.D., District Manager and Research Director of the Lake County Vector Control District.  

“We are working hard to reduce the risk of West Nile Virus to our residents and visitors, but people need to use common sense – if you notice a lot of mosquitoes, please go inside, and use an insect repellant if you must be outside,” Scott recommended.

Officials encourage residents to protect themselves from mosquito bites by avoiding being outside at dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active, and to wear long sleeves and use an insect repellant containing an EPA-registered active ingredient like DEET, Picaridin, Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus or IR353.

West Nile Virus has been detected in 24 California counties so far this year, mainly in mosquitoes and dead birds. One fatal human case was reported earlier this year in Sacramento County.

West Nile Virus causes no symptoms in approximately 80 percent of people who catch the infection. Up to 20 percent of people experience a variety of symptoms that range from fatigue, fever, headache, body aches, rash and even nausea and vomiting.

Less than 1 percent of cases suffer severe illness, including neurologic effects that may be permanent, and some instances are fatal.

There is no specific treatment for the virus, so the best approach is to avoid exposure to mosquito bites, which is the means by which the virus is transmitted.

Residents who would like help with a mosquito problem should contact the Lake County Vector Control District at 707-263-4770 or visit the district's Web site at www.lcvcd.org .  

For more information about West Nile virus, visit http://www.westnile.ca.gov/ .