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Public Service Announcement (PSA) - August 2025:

Sutter County Public Health has confirmed the first human case of West Nile Virus (WNV) in Sutter County this year.

People infected with WNV fall into three categories:

• No symptoms/asymptomatic (8 in 10 people)
• Mild to moderate fever illness with fatigue and body aches (1 in 5 people)
• Severe illness with neurologic symptoms such as encephalitis or meningitis (less than 1 in 150 people).

View the full Public Service Announcement here

Fight the Bite!

West Nile Virus (WNV) is transmitted to humans and animals through a mosquito bite. Mosquitoes become infected when they feed on infected birds. Individuals can reduce their risk of mosquito-borne WNV by reducing their exposure to mosquito bites. Best practices include:

• Avoid time outside during the dusk and dawn hours.
• When outdoors wear long pants and long-sleeved shirts.
• Apply insect repellent containing DEET according to label instructions.
• Make sure all doors and windows have tight-fitting screens.
• Eliminate all sources of standing water on your property that can support mosquito breeding. Report green swimming pools by calling (530) 674-5456 extension 0
• Contact your local mosquito and vector control agency if there is a significant mosquito problem where you live or work.
• Report dead birds to the California Department of Public Health Here or by phone at (877) 968-2473

Most individuals who are infected by WNV will not experience any illness. Others will have mild to moderate symptoms similar to the flu. WNV can cause severe illness in some, causing brain swelling and death. Those at greatest risk for severe disease are the immune suppressed and the elderly.

You can be part of Sutter County's surveillance program by reporting any crows, ravens, magpies, jays, sparrows, finches and raptors that may have been dead less than 48 hours to a special statewide toll-free hotline: 877-WNV-BIRD. This number also has recorded information on WNV in California and WNV symptoms in humans. It also provides callers the name and number of their local mosquito control agency.

Information can be obtained online at California West Nile Information Center.

Additional Links

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) West Nile Virus

California Department of Public Health (CDPH) West Nile Virus 

Archived News

Please see below for Public Service Announcements (PSAs) related to West Nile Virus in Sutter County and recommendations on mosquito bite prevention.

View 2022 PSA HERE

View 2023 PSA HERE