The Marin/Sonoma Mosquito and Vector Control District announced another mosquito sample has tested positive for West Nile virus.

The sample was collected from a familiar spot – near Wilfred Avenue in Rohnert Park.

The District found a group of mosquitos, which tested positive for the virus near Wilfred on Aug. 3.

“As soon  as we found out, the technicians were in the area and found a couple of new sources that weren’t there prior,” said Nizza Sequeira, public relations director for the District. “One was easy, we could just dump out the water and the larvae, but the other, we had to treat the water.”

Sequeira said technicians found several sites producing mosquitos and treated them accordingly. She said adult mosquito surveillance traps have been set to monitor the abundance of mosquitos and virus activity.

With warm weather expected through the next week, the District is concerned virus activity could increase along with the population of mosquitos. The District urges those living in the Wilfred area to report potential mosquito production sites as well as mosquito problems to the District.

The District considers it extremely important for anyone participating in outdoor activities to take personal protection measures such as applying an effective mosquito repellent to exposed skin when outdoors, especially during dusk and dawn.

West Nile virus symptoms may include headache, fever, body aches, vomiting, nausea, swollen lymph glands and skin rash on the chest, stomach and back.

Approximately 80 percent of people who become infected with West Nile virus will not show any symptoms; approximately 20 percent of infected individuals, however will develop West Nile fever.

Less than one percent of those individuals may develop a more severe form of illness with symptoms such as high fever, headache, neck stiffness, disorientation, coma, paralysis and in extreme cases death. While there is no cure for West Nile virus, it is preventable. 

 Residents can help reduce the threat in the following ways:

• Eliminate standing water in rain barrels, old tires, buckets, kiddie pools or any other item that can hold water for more than a week.
• Report mosquito problems, neglected swimming pools, or any area that could be producing mosquitoes.
• Stock backyard ponds or other permanent water features with mosquitofish. The fish are free and can be delivered or simply picked up at the District office.
• Report dead birds to the West Nile virus hotline at 1-877-968-2473.
• Wear mosquito repellent when outdoors during dusk and dawn. Use a repellent containing one of the following active ingredients: DEET, Picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or IR3535.

 For more information or to report mosquito problems, contact the District at (800) 231-3236 or visit www.msmosquito.com. Report dead birds to the West Nile virus Hotline at (877) 968-2473 or online at www.westnile.ca.gov.