Drought aggravates West Nile in California

BAKERSFIELD, Calif., July 21 (UPI) -- A lack of rainfall in California is being blamed for an upturn in mosquito-borne West Nile virus cases among humans, mostly in Bakersfield.

The San Francisco Chronicle reported Saturday the current drought situation in the Golden State could be accelerating the disease by crowding birds into smaller watering areas where they are more likely to come into contact with mosquitoes that feed on them and then transmit the virus from bird to human.

The California Department of Public Health checked in with a report of 18 new human cases of West Nile, which is double the number since the first case of this year was confirmed June 20, bringing the total to 27 cases. Bakersfield had 22 of the 27 cases.

Stagnant water breeds mosquitoes. In the Bakersfield area, citizen complaints have focused on neglected swimming pools that have become breeding sites.