A 51-year-old El Dorado County woman has tested positive for West Nile virus. According to health officials, she is the first human case of West Nile Virus in El Dorado County this year.

Health officials have conducted a case investigation and it appears the woman may have acquired the virus outside of the state. As of Sept. 24, West Nile virus activity in El Dorado County includes one human case and eight West Nile virus positive birds. No West Nile virus positive horses or mosquito pools have been reported in El Dorado County so far this year.

Statewide, there have been 52 confirmed human cases of West Nile virus and 41 counties have reported West Nile virus activity in 2009.

Effective strategies for preventing mosquito bites include taking extra precautions during dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active, wearing long sleeved pants and shirts, and using mosquito repellent containing DEET or picardin. It is also important to remove standing water sources around homes to discourage mosquito breeding.

People with symptoms such as high fever, confusion, a stiff neck or muscle weakness should seek immediate medical attention.

Local information about West Nile virus activity can be found at the El Dorado County West Nile virus hotlines — (530) 573.3405 and (530) 642.4968. Additional information about West Nile virus is available at www.westnile.ca.gov and www.edcgov.us/emd.