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Mosquitoes in Fresno test positive for deadly virus


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Mosquitoes in Fresno test positive for deadly virus

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Fresno County health officials say mosquitoes in Fresno have tested positive for St. Louis Encephalitis.

According to a press release, the infected mosquitoes came from the areas of East Floradora Avenue and Highway 41, plus Shields and Van Ness avenues. The mosquitoes that carry St. Louis Encephalitis are capable of infecting people with the West Nile Virus which there is now vaccine for humans that are infected with either virus.

Most people who contract the West Nile Virus and St. Louis Encephalitis have no symptoms. However, one in five people may develop a fever along with severe neurological effects that can cause permanent damage and in some cases infections can be fatal.

Last year mosquitoes in Northwest Fresno tested positive for St. Louis Encephalitis. In 2016, a batch of mosquitoes tested positive for the virus in an area outside of the city limits. One person became infected, was hospitalized and recovered.

As for West Nile, last year 553 people were infected with the virus and there were 44 deaths. However, health officials say there were no West Nile virus deaths reported in the Central Valley last year.

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