First West Nile virus death reported in Los Angeles County
A San Gabriel Valley man who died this month was confirmed on Tuesday as the first West Nile virus death in Los Angeles County this year, county health officials said.
The man was hospitalized in late August and had pre-existing health conditions, according to the county Department of Public Health, which did not release the man’s name or other identifying details.
There have been 18 confirmed cases of West Nile virus so far this year, officials said.
Also Tuesday, the city of Long Beach, which has its own health department, announced its first human West Nile virus infection. City officials did not disclose the person’s name, age or condition.
Last year, there were 218 West Nile infections reported in Los Angeles County, the second-highest count since 2004, according to the county health department. Of those who showed symptoms and were reported to the county, 180 patients required hospitalization, and seven died, officials said.
“Mosquitoes are the primary pathway to human infection with West Nile virus, and we are entering the period of increased transmission,” Jeffrey Gunzenhauser, the county’s interim health officer, said in a statement.
Health officials warned residents to take precautions against mosquitoes, including getting rid of pools of stagnant water, emptying and washing birdbaths and wading pools weekly, using insect repellent containing DEET when outdoors and making sure doors and windows have tight-fitting screens to keep out mosquitoes.
Most people who become infected by West Nile virus, according to the health department, have mild symptoms – such as fever, headache, nausea or a mild skin rash -- or none at all. In 80% of cases, people infected with the virus never become sick, officials said. The elderly and those with weakened immune systems are most at risk.
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