Be aware of the West Nile virus threat in Oakley

August 20, 2004

Could there be birds with West Nile virus in Oakley? Last week there was a confirmed report of the virus in Knightsen and it set everyone into a worried tailspin. Before the report came out, though, a local business owner tried to call to report a dead blackbird found on her property. There didn't seem to be evidence of any foul play. No broken wings, animal bite marks or anything the person could find responsible for the death of the bird.

After hearing a news story about people being asked to report finding any dead crows, the business owner thought it would be a good idea to give them a call and have them examine the bird. When she did, she found a recorded message on how to dispose of the bird and that was it. It left her a little disconcerted, especially because she had no idea whether or not the bird died of the virus and whether anyone could contract the virus and possibly die.

Over the past year or so, my husband the news junkie has been talking about West Nile and it always seemed so far away. It reminded me of the killer bee story. Maybe some of you will remember that in the early '80s there was a furor over an Africanized bee that was somehow transported to the states and a few people had been killed.

In 1990, killer bees reached southern Texas, appeared in Arizona in 1993, and found their way to California in 1995. They are expected to form colonies in parts of the southern United States. Maybe people should be worried swarms of killer bees have killed over 1,000 people over the years, but we seem to be far from the reports we were originally concerned about. It has been almost 20 years since they first hit California and the problem seems to have settled down.

With West Nile, it seems that many people really don't understand how concerned they should be. After asking 10 people in Oakley about West Nile, most people didn't know how the virus is contracted. Others think that you automatically die if you come in contact with someone who is infected.

Don't get me wrong, it is serious. So far at least four people in the state have died of the virus. That probably won't be the last fatality, but those cases are far and few between. So whether or not it is true that West Nile virus is located in Oakley, everyone should be prepared.

Controlling West Nile virus in Contra Costa County is under the authority of the county mosquito abatement district. They report that they have enhanced their control efforts for mosquitoes, which is how the virus is contracted. They report that their biggest concern in the area is possible breeding of mosquitoes in horse troughs and back yard containers. Horse owners should stock their horse troughs with mosquitofish, which can be obtained through the Mosquito Abatement District office. They also say horse owners should contact their veterinarians regarding the vaccination of their horses. Currently, about half of the horses in California infected with West Nile virus have died.

Keep in mind that the virus is transmitted to humans and animals through the bite of an infected mosquito and cannot be spread person to person. Mosquitoes become infected with the virus when they feed on infected birds. This is very important -- most people who are bitten by a mosquito with West Nile virus will not get sick. People who do become ill may experience symptoms such as fever, headache and body ache. It is estimated that 1 in 5 people bitten by an infected mosquito become ill. Less than one percent of infected individuals require hospitalization.

If you do find a dead bird, call 877-WNV-BIRD (877-968-2473). The business owner who found the bird on her property didn't get the results promised, but she did report that the message told her how to dispose of the dead bird.

For more information, contact the Contra Costa Mosquito & Vector Control District at 925-685-9301, or for information concerning West Nile virus symptoms, prevention or testing, please call the Contra Costa Health Services department at 888-959-9911.

Roni Gehlke's column on life in Oakley appears each week in the Brentwood News.

Distributed by the Contra Costa Times

Return to Oakley in the News