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Emerging Diseases: West Nile Virus

West Nile virus (WNV) is a mosquito-borne disease that is common in Africa, west Asia and the Middle East, and has emerged in recent years in temperate regions of Europe and North America. WNV is a potentially serious illness, presenting a threat to public, equine, and animal health. Experts believe WNV is established as a seasonal epidemic in North America that flares up in the summer and continues into the fall.

To address this public health issue, the Public Health and Environmental Health divisions of the Sonoma County Department of Health Services participate as part of the Infectious Disease Task Force. This task force includes topic area experts from Animal Regulation, Blood Bank of the Redwoods, Marin and Sonoma County Mosquito and Vector Control District, Redwood Empire Veterinary Medicine Association, California Department of Health Services, the Sonoma County Office of Emergency Preparedness, and local hospitals.

The following information is provided as a service to the community and to health providers.

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WNV Basics

Overview of West Nile Virus
Source: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

West Nile Virus: What You Need To Know
Source: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Avoid Mosquito Bites to Avoid Infection
Source: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Who's at Risk for West Nile Virus
Source: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Symptoms
Source: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Transmission
Source: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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Prevention

Avoid Mosquito Bites to Avoid Infection
Source: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Prevention
Source: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Insect Repellent Use and Safety
Source: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

What You Need to Know about Mosquito Repellent
Source: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

West Nile Virus, Pregnancy, and Breastfeeding
Source: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Recommendations to Protect Outdoor Workers from West Nile Virus Exposure
Source: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.

Recommendations to Protect Laboratory and Field Workers from West Nile Virus Exposure
Source: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.

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WNV in California

Latest WNV Activity in California
Source: California Department of Health Services.

Report a Dead Bird in California
Source: California Department of Health Services.

Report a Dead Squirrel in California
You can call the West Nile Virus Hotline at 1-877-968-2473.

Map of WNV Activity in California Counties
Source: California Department of Health Services.

Data: WNV Activity by County
Source: California Department of Health Services.

Map of Bird WNV Infections in California
Source: U.S. Geological Survey.

Map of Human WNV Disease Cases in California
Source: U.S. Geological Survey.

Map of Mosquito Pool WNV Infections in California
Source: U.S. Geological Survey.

Map of Sentinel WNV Infections in California
(sentinel refers to both horses and chickens)
Source: U.S. Geological Survey.

Map of Veterinary WNV Disease Cases
Source: U.S. Geological Survey.

Veterinarian and Horse Owner Information
Source: California Department of Health Services.

West Nile Virus and Horses (pdf)
Source: Ventura County Public Health Department.

Information for Horse Owners
Source: California Department of Food and Agriculture, Animal Health Branch.

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For Health Providers

Clinical Description
Source: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Case Definition
Source: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Treatment Information and Guidance
Source: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Surveillance Information and Guidance for Clinicians
Source: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Interim Guidelines for the Evaluation of Infants Born to Mothers Infected With West Nile Virus During Pregnancy
Source: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Presentation: West Nile Virus (pdf)
Source: Gary Green, MD, Infectious Diseases, Kaiser Medical Center, Santa Rosa, CA.

Statistics, Surveillance and Control
Source: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Current Clinical Trials
Source: Sonoma County Infectious Disease Task Force.

Information for Horse Owners
Source: California Department of Food and Agriculture, Animal Health Branch.

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Online Resources

Educational Video: Protecting Yourself and Your Community from West Nile Virus (requires free real audio player)
Source: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Statistics, Surveillance and Control
Source: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

West Nile Virus Maps
Source: U.S. Geological Survey.

California West Nile Virus
Source: California Department of Health Services.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: West Nile Virus

The Marin/Sonoma Mosquito & Vector Control District

Mosquito and Vector Control Association of California

Blood Bank of the Redwoods