A possible case of West Nile Virus (WNV) in a Sutter County adult is under investigation. The patient is recovering at home.

If confirmed, this would be the first report of a case of WNV illness in Sutter County for 2016. In 2015, a total of 2 cases were reported with no deaths from WNV. There have been a total of four WNV-related deaths in Sutter County, occurring in 2012 and 2014. The Sutter-Yuba Mosquito and Vector Control District continues to be active with mosquito control and monitoring mosquito activity and will continue until cold weather.

Risk for WNV infection from mosquito bites continues into late Fall for humans, horses, and other mammals. It is very important to always take the simple precautions that reduce the risk of mosquito bites and becoming infected with West Nile virus whether at home, participating in outdoor activities, or traveling. The 4 "D"s is an easy way to remember how to prevent mosquito bites:

• D - DEET - use DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus or IR3535. These are the EPA approved mosquito repellents to prevent bites; be sure to follow package instructions for age of person and how to apply
• D - Dawn and Dusk - avoid going outdoors at dawn and dusk when the mosquitoes that carry WNV are most active
• D - Doors and windows - make sure that the screens on your doors and windows are not broken or torn
• D - Drain all standing water around the outside of your house - gutters, jar lids, tires, flower pot trays are some common places

Most persons who become infected with WNV do not become ill, but develop immunity to WNV. Approximately one in five people who are infected with WNV will develop symptoms, such as fever, headaches, body aches, joint pain, vomiting, diarrhea or rash. Symptoms typically develop from 3 to 14 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito. Less than one percent of infected people will develop the neuroinvasive WNV infection which is a serious neurologic illness with encephalitis or meningitis (inflammation of the brain and surrounding tissues).

The State of California West Nile virus webpage has information about WNV activity around the state by county, how to report dead birds, and how to protect against WNV. See http://www.westnile.ca.gov/.

For more information about the work that the Sutter County Mosquito and Vector Control District is doing to reduce numbers of mosquitoes, go to http://www.sutter-yubamvcd.org/.

Effective July 1, 2016, Sutter-Yuba Mental Health Services is going by a new name: Sutter-Yuba Behavioral Health.

For decades, residents of Sutter and Yuba Counties have received mental health and substance use disorder treatment at Sutter-Yuba Mental Health Services (SYMHS). The title of this long-time community service provider has made no mention of substance use disorder treatment.

On July 8, 2014 the Mental Health Advisory Board and the Substance Use Advisory Board decided to merge the two consumer, family, and community member-run boards and create one integrated advisory board. This new board was titled the Behavioral Health Advisory Board. Since this time, SYMHS has been steadily integrating mental health and substance use treatment programs.

By integrating these disciplines, services are being tailored to better address the needs of individuals with complex mental health and substance use challenges.

In addition, across the state, the merging of mental health and substance use disorder functions at the county level has increased the use of the term “behavioral” which succinctly bridges the traditional gap between the disciplines of mental health and alcohol and other drug treatment providers.

On May 24, 2016 the Sutter County Board of Supervisors approved a request to change the name of Sutter-Yuba Mental Health Services to Sutter-Yuba Behavioral Health, effective July 1, 2016.

In addition to the name change, Sutter-Yuba Behavioral Health has adopted a logo that encompasses the belief that each mind matters, that recovery from mental illness and substance use disorders is possible, and that we can be the catalyst to empower a healthy community. Our name will change, but our commitment to providing essential mental health and substance use disorder treatment services for our bi-county community is unchanging.

For More Information, contact Tony Hobson, Ph.D., Assistant Director Human Services, Behavioral Health Director, 822-7200.