The West Nile virus situation hasn’t exploded yet and everyone is hoping that things will remain calm. Up to this point, only four human cases have been reported. The first two persons to get sick were a central Orange County woman, aged 49 (in late June), and an Anaheim man, aged 80 (in early July). According to Howard Sutter, Orange County Health Care Agency spokesman, the two are still hospitalized.

This past week, two more cases were reported: after having donated blood, two Orange County men were found to be infected with the West Nile virus. The county’s Health Care Agency chose not to release the names and hometowns of the two; the only piece of information it made available was that neither (aged 23 and 41) presents symptoms of the illness.

County residents were advised to cover up or spray DEET-containing repellant when outside early in the morning or during the evening. Authorities have also put together a plan to control the population of the virus-carrying mosquito.

Eastern Contra Costa County for instance, has built a mosquito fish aquarium; these fish feed on mosquito larvae and they can consume as much as 500 larvae a day. Once they reach the appropriate dimensions, the fish are relocated in stagnant waters, which represent the perfect mosquito breeding grounds.

Mosquitoes acquire the virus by feeding on infected birds; through the bite, the virus is then transmitted to humans; what follows, everyone knows. Those who find dead birds have been advised to immediately call the state health department at 1-866-627-7968.

Last year, the summer ended tragically for California, as 21 state residents died because of mosquito-borne illness.