'Get rid of standing water in flower pots, plastic tarps, abandoned tires -- anything that can trap water. The biggest problem, by far, comes from mosquitoes breeding in back yards.'

"I don't want to put insect repellent on because I'm worried it'll affect the baby," said Miley, a 36-year-old Discovery Bay woman who owns the Orwood water resort off Byron Highway with her family.

"But I also don't want to get bitten by infected mosquitoes. You know? I see a mosquito and I think, 'I wonder if that's the one carrying the virus.' I hate them anyway, but this is the first time I've thought of a bug bite as a life-or-death situation."

Horse Had to Be Euthanized

She said that Discovery Bay, a town of 10,000 surrounded by lakes and other bug-breeding grounds, has been abuzz with news of an Oakley horse that had to be euthanized last week after contracting the virus. People became even more concerned, she said, when reports surfaced that a middle-aged East County woman, whose identity is still not known, was hospitalized with the virus days ago.

"We're all talking about it," Miley said. "You tend to talk about it more when it touches close to your town. It's just disgusting, the idea of it."

The virus has killed two elderly men in neighboring San Joaquin County, 25 birds in Contra Costa County and two birds in Alameda County as of Wednesday afternoon. In Brentwood alone, six birds have died from the virus -- more than any other Contra Costa city -- and countywide, three mosquito pools have tested positive. Infected birds have also been found in Concord, Danville, Walnut Creek, Lafayette, Pleasanton and Livermore.

The virus kills less than 1 percent of people bitten by infected mosquitoes, but up to 20 percent can experience mild or even severe flu-like symptoms. Eighty percent will never feel a thing.

Deborah Bass of the Contra Costa Mosquito & Vector Control District said the good news is that birds, horses and people are "dead-end hosts," meaning the virus is not contagious once the mosquito passes it.

Much Worse a Year Ago

Since human and animal deaths hit the local news, there have been runs on OFF! insect repellent and people checking their swimming pools for the greenish hue that indicates mosquitoes living inside.

Though local water resort owners have not reported a dip in attendance, they are passing out brochures and mosquito wipes like crazy.

In an attempt to stop the virus in its tracks, mosquito abatement officials have sprayed insecticide in area cities -- Brentwood, Oakley, Discovery Bay and Bethel Island -- and continue trapping and testing mosquitoes at a frantic pace.

News of the horse's death has local ranchers calling their vets, asking for early West Nile vaccinations. And people such as Miley are opting to stay inside, especially during the dawn and dusk hours, when mosquitoes are particularly bad.

That said, the virus has not hit here as bad as other areas; Sacramento County, for example, has the highest number of human cases at almost 40. Statewide, the number of infected people rose from 118 to 174 just last week, and John Rusmisel, district manager of the Alameda County Mosquito Abatement District, says he thinks that number will be more than 200 by the end of this week.

"Still, it was much worse a year ago," he said.

A Capful of Water

Last year, West Nile virus killed 28 people throughout California, as opposed to five so far this year.

"It's still a scary thing; it really is," said Bass, whose job has become so overwhelming that she canceled a camping trip she and her husband had planned for this weekend.

"These mosquitoes can breed in a capful of water -- that's all it takes," she said. "So we really need people to get rid of standing water in flower pots, plastic tarps, abandoned tires -- anything that can trap water. The biggest problem, by far, comes from mosquitoes breeding in back yards."

She said her district is trying to communicate to the public how important it for individuals to do their part.

"We need each and every homeowner to walk the parameters of their property," she said. "Any water that's been there for more than five days should be dumped."

She also said if people are sensible, they can avoid the virus. Insect repellent -- something with DEET, Picaridin or lemon-eucalyptus lotion -- is key. People should also wear long sleeves at dawn and dusk and drain all unfiltered swimming pools.

"Drain them to the point where they're bone dry; even a little water is bad," Bass said.

Horse Vaccination Available

Horse owners should be getting their animals vaccinated and replacing drinking water every few days. Mosquito fish, available at both county mosquito abatement districts, can be placed in troughs to eat mosquitoes. The horses will not eat them, Bass said.

Though many people will not feel symptoms, Bass said people should remember there is no vaccination for humans.

The horse vaccination, however, has been available for some time now, and East County veterinarian Renee Golenz says her clients have been calling on her the past few days. Most of them have had their horses vaccinated regularly over the past three years but are worried nonetheless.

"Most were slated to get a booster shot, say, in September and October," she said. "What I'm seeing is they're moving those up to now, just to be safe."

The East County horse that died last week, she said, was paralyzed by the time Golenz got to her.

"That was my first West Nile diagnosis," said Golenz. "It was a really tough experience. Poor thing. I don't want to go through it again."