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UC DAVIS: OFFICE OF ADMINISTRATION
July 27, 2006
DEANS, DIRECTORS, DEPARTMENT CHAIRS, AND ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICERS
RE: West Nile Virus
On July 25, the campus was notified by West Nile researchers working in
the Arboretum of their finding of the first West Nile virus positive
mosquito on the Davis campus. The mosquito was located at the west end
of Putah Creek in the area of the Heron Rookery. Spraying for WNV has
and is being conducted in Sacramento County, Yolo County, and surrounding
area as a result of monitoring efforts.
Most often, WNV is spread by the bite of an infected mosquito. Mosquitoes
are WNV carriers ("vectors") that become infected when they feed on
infected birds. Infected mosquitoes can then spread WNV to humans and
other animals when they bite.
The following steps should be considered to help in the prevention of
WNV:
The best way to avoid becoming sick from WNV is to prevent mosquito bites.
Stay out of areas that have been identified has having high mosquito
activity.
Mosquitoes that carry WNV are most active at dawn and dusk, especially
during the two hours after sunset.
When outdoors, wear long sleeved shirts, long pants, and tuck pant legs
into the tops of boots or socks. Clothing should be substantial enough to
prevent the mosquito from biting through clothing.
When outdoors, use insect repellents containing DEET (N, N-diethyl-meta-
toluamide). Follow the directions on the package. Repellents should be
sprayed on clothing, not under it. Individuals with a known allergy to
DEET should use the alternate products recommended by the Center for
Disease Control (CDC).
In additional to DEET based products, insect repellents containing
Picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus have recently been recommended by the
federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. More information on
mosquito repellents may be found at:
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/RepellentUpdates.htm.
Make sure that doors and windows have tight fitting screens, and doors
are not propped open.
Get rid of mosquito breeding sites by emptying standing water.
Symptoms of West Nile Virus:
Approximately 80 percent of people (about 4 out of 5) who are infected
with WNV will not have any symptoms at all. Up to 20 percent (about one
in five) of the people who become infected will display symptoms that can
include fever, headache, body aches, nausea, vomiting, and sometimes
swollen lymph glands or a skin rash on the chest, stomach and back.
Symptoms generally last for just a few days, although some people have
been sick for several weeks. Less than one percent (about one in 150
people) of individuals infected with WNV will develop severe illness. The
severe symptoms can 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
neurological effects may be permanent. The incubation period is between
3 to 15 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito. Those over 50
years of age or with chronic health conditions are more likely to become
infected with WNV. The virus cannot be transmitted between people.
West Nile virus (WNV) is a mosquito-borne disease that is common in Africa,
west Asia, the Middle East, and more recently, North America.
Human infection with WNV may result in serious illness. Experts believe WNV
is established as a seasonal epidemic in North America that flares up in
the summer and continues into the fall. WNV has been identified in
California, and in 2006, there have been five reported human cases.
California is well prepared to detect, monitor, and respond to WNV through
ongoing collaboration between over 100 public agencies. The California
surveillance system includes human and horse case detection and testing of
mosquitoes, sentinel chicken flocks, and dead birds for WNV.
For further information or health concerns, you may contact Employee
Health Services at 530-757-3200 or Cowell Student Health Center at
530-752-2300. In Sacramento, contact the Campus Employee Health unit at
(916) 734-3572.
Stan Nosek
Vice Chancellor - Administration
06-079
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