Contra Costa health officials today said residents should be vigilant to protect themselves from West Nile virus following an announcement of the county’s first human case of 2012. There were three confirmed human cases of West Nile virus in Contra Costa County last year.

A state laboratory in Richmond on Thursday confirmed a Central County woman was infected with the virus. She suffered from mild symptoms and is expected to make a full recovery. There have been no fatalities related to West Nile virus in Contra Costa since 2006.

West Nile virus is spread to humans from the bite of infected mosquitoes, according to Susan Farley, communicable disease controller with Contra Costa Health Services. “It is important to remember that West Nile virus is absolutely preventable,” she said. “The best thing people can do is to wear insect repellant outdoors, avoid going outside around dawn and dusk, and dump and drain standing water where mosquitoes breed.”

For additional information about how to protect yourself and your home from West Nile virus, click here or call 888-959-9911.