From the Sierra Sun Times
September 26, 2018
SONORA—On July 30, 2018, the Tuolumne County Public Health Department announced the first confirmed human illness in Tuolumne County due to West Nile virus (WNV).
On September 4, 2018, a dead California Scrub Jay bird was found in Sonora, and the dead bird was tested for WNV infection – the result was positive as reported on September 21, 2018. The detection of WNV in a dead bird provides an early signal that mosquitos carrying the WNV are present in our environment, and an early warning that it is important to take protection against mosquito bites:
Test Result Submitting Agency City County Zip Code Species Date Reported Date Tested Positive Tuolumne Co Dept of Env Health Sonora Tuolumne 95370 California Scrub-Jay 9/4/2018 9/21/2018
As pointed out by CDPH Director and State Public Health Officer Dr. Karen Smith in our previous Press Release, “West Nile virus activity throughout the state is increasing,” so once again we urge residents and visitors to Tuolumne County to take every possible precaution to protect against mosquito bites (see below).