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By: Luz Peña/MÁS staff

To combat a possible West Nile virus outbreak, the Kern Mosquito and Vector Control District began aerial spraying Aug. 10, and again on Aug. 13.

The West Nile virus is found in mosquitoes and birds. However, the disease is transmitted to birds, humans and other animals by mosquito bites.

Currently, there have been 48 cases of West Nile virus in Kern County — the highest number of West Nile virus cases in the nation.

“Right now, we’re in peak season for West Nile virus,” said Daniel Kim, of the Kern County Department of Public Health Promotion and Public Information. “We’re urging people to stay indoors during dusk and dawn hours, to wear repellent that contains DEET and drain any standing water surrounding their house.”

Only 20 percent of the people who become infected with the virus will have symptoms such as fever, headache and body aches, nausea, vomiting and sometimes, swollen lymph glands or a skin rash on the chest, stomach and back.

The symptoms can last from a few days, up to several weeks.

One in 150 people, who are infected with the virus will become severely ill.

Symptoms include high fever, headache, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, vision loss, numbness and paralysis. These symptoms may last several weeks and can cause long-term neurological problems or even death.

On Aug. 2, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed a proclamation that gave $1 million in new funding to the Kern Mosquito and Vector Control District to control Kern County’s mosquito problem.

The governor visited Bakersfield to sign the proclamation.

Earlier that day, State Sen. Dean Florez (D-Shafter) also visited Kern County to urge the governor to allocate emergency funding.

Although Florez was pleased with the governor’s efforts, he said more work must be done.

“The governor’s proclamation, which proposes $1 million in new funding to local Vector Control agencies to fight West Nile virus eradication efforts, certainly falls short of even last year’s paltry $3 million allocation of additional funds included in the state budget,” said Florez. “This year’s proposed state budget does not include any additional funds to fight West Nile virus. We already see a three-fold increase in the number of people infected by the virus — the first line of the governor’s emergency proclamation acknowledges this fact.”

Florez said a stronger commitment by the state government is needed to prevent a possible outbreak.

“I think our vector control officers and local government officials should at least know how much we are willing to spend on this potential  outbreak,” he said. “I’m not saying that every dollar needs to be spent, but I would hate to think that the folks on the front lines, the Public Health folks and the Vector Control folks, would in any way hold back on the most effective eradication efforts because of a soft commitment from their state government.”


How to prevent being bitten by mosquitoes:
•  Use Insect Repellent that contains DEET
•  Wear long sleeves, pants and socks outdoors when the weather permits.
• Spray your clothing  with a repellent that contains permethrin. Don’t apply repellents containing permethrin directly to skin.
•  Stay indoors between the hours of dusk to dawn — peak hours for mosquitoes

To keep mosquitoes away:
•  Drain all standing water
•  Install and repair screens


Because of possible West Nile virus contamination, if you find a dead bird, call 1-877-WNV-BIRD (1-877-968-2473) for disposal of the bird