The Mosquito and Vector Management District of Santa Barbara County (MVMD) is alerting residents that a Santa Ynez Valley horse tested positive for a mosquito-borne West Nile Virus Infection in late August.
The 5-year-old horse became ill but has since recovered. This was the first West Nile Virus discovery in Santa Barbara County since 2020, and though the virus is rare, it is a reminder of its presence and the need to be mindful of mosquitoes.
Horses can be vaccinated against West Nile Virus, but the infected horse had not been vaccinated since 2022.
MVMD advises horse owners to maintain on-schedule vaccinations for their animals to help prevent contracting and spreading the virus.
Humans can get West Nile Virus from the bite of an infected mosquito. Most people who contract the virus remain asymptomatic; however, about 1 in 5 people who are infected develop symptoms such as fever, headache, muscle ache and nausea.
In about 1 percent of people who get West Nile Virus, infection can lead to serious complications including encephalitis or meningitis, coma and even death, MVMD reports.
MVMD urges area residents to “Fight the Bite” by following the three Ds:
• Deet — Use Deet or other repellents approved by the Environmental Protection Agency;
• Dawn or Dusk — Avoid being outside at these times when mosquitoes are most active;
• Drain – Empty all sources of stagnant water that mosquitoes will lay their eggs in including buckets, bird baths, clogged rain gutters, old tires, containers of all kinds, unused hot tubs.
Wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants can also provide protection from mosquitoes.
Larger sources where mosquitoes are breeding, such as neglected swimming pools or stagnant water in creekbeds and washes, for example, can be reported to the MVMD, 805-969-5050.
Wild birds are the main source of the virus for mosquitoes. Crows, ravens, jays and magpies are especially susceptible to the virus and often get sick and die after they are infected.
MVMD advises residents to report dead birds to the California Department of Public Health’s Dead Bird Hotline. If the dead birds are still in good condition, the MVMD can collect them and send them to CDPH for West Nile Virus testing.
Reports of dead birds can be filed online at http://westnile.ca.gov report.php, or by calling 1-877-968-2473.
The Mosquito & Ve ctor Management District is an independent local government agency offering community based services with tax funding and decision-making by an elected board of directors. For more, visit mvmdistrict.org.