Kern County, CA

The best way to prevent mosquito-borne diseases is to avoid mosquito bites.  

You can protect yourself by:

• Using mosquito repellent on exposed skin
• Wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants when outdoors
• Avoiding areas with large numbers of mosquitoes when possible
• Making sure doors and windows have tight-fitting screens in good repair

Remove Standing Water Around Your Home 

Mosquitoes lay eggs in standing water. Even small amounts of water can become a breeding place. 

Help reduce mosquitoes by:

• Emptying water from old tires, flowerpots, buckets, pet bowls, and other containers
• Draining water from pool covers
• Keeping swimming pools operating properly
• Emptying and scrubbing birdbaths and wading pools every week
• Maintaining fountains and other outdoor water features
• Stocking garden ponds with fish that eat mosquito larvae, such as gambusia or goldfish 

What It Is

Symptoms

Most people who get West Nile virus do not feel sick. For those who do, symptoms may include:

• Fever
• Headache
• Rash
• Muscle weakness
• Nausea
• Vomiting

 A small number of people may develop serious symptoms such as:

• Tremors
• Limb weakness or paralysis
• Altered mental status
• Other neurological symptoms

In rare cases, West Nile virus can be fatal. 

Important to Know

Treatment

Local Information

St. Louis encephalitis virus is another disease spread by mosquitoes. Like West Nile virus, it is usually spread through the bite of an infected mosquito.

Symptoms can range from mild to serious and may include:

• Fever
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Fatigue

In more serious cases, symptoms may affect the brain or nervous system.

Not everyone who is infected will feel sick, but older adults may be at greater risk for severe illness.

There is no specific treatment. Medical care focuses on relieving symptoms and supporting recovery.

Some mosquito-borne diseases are more common in other parts of the world but may still be of concern for travelers or public health monitoring.

These may include:

Zika can spread through mosquitoes and may cause serious birth defects if a pregnant person becomes infected.

Dengue is spread by mosquitoes and can cause fever, rash, and severe body pain. In some cases, it can become serious.

Chikungunya is spread by mosquitoes and often causes fever and joint pain.

If you are traveling, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website to check mosquito-borne disease risks for your destination. 

Contact a healthcare provider if you feel sick after mosquito bites, especially if you have:

• Fever
• Severe headache
• Confusion
• Weakness
• Tremors
• Trouble moving part of your body

Seek medical care right away if symptoms are severe.

Mosquito-borne disease activity in Kern County can vary from year to year depending on environmental conditions and mosquito populations.

Kern County works with mosquito and vector control partners to monitor activity, track trends, and help reduce the spread of disease.

Use the map below to view mosquito-borne disease activity and surveillance information in Kern County.

If you need help with mosquito concerns in your area, contact your local mosquito control agency:

• Kern Mosquito & Vector Control District
• West Side Mosquito and Vector Control District
• Delano Mosquito Abatement District

• WestNile.ca.gov
• WestNile.ca.gov FAQ
• CDC - West Nile Virus
• CDC - West Nile Virus Prevention
• CDC - St. Louis Encephalitis Virus
• CDPH - St. Louis Encephalitis Virus
• CDPH - Mosquitoes and Mosquito-Borne Diseases