From ABC 7
August 4, 2022
The Butte County Public Health agency (BCPH) confirmed this year’s first human case of West Nile Virus (WNV) infection in Butte County, making this the seventh reported incident of WNV infections in California. The individual who was exposed to the virus “is over 65 years of age and is experiencing a severe WNV illness.”
BCPH reminds residents of Butte County that “WNV is active June through October, with August typically being the peak month”. Mosquitos are seen as the primary carrier of the virus.
Those with the infection “fall into three categories”:
- Asymptomatic (8 in 10 people)
- Mild to moderate fever illness with fatigue and body aches (1 in 5 people)
- Severe illness with neurologic symptoms such as encephalitis or meningitis (less than 1 in 150 people). For those who develop a severe WNV illness, symptoms may last several weeks and some symptoms may be permanent.