West Nile Virus Takes the Year’s First Victim

An elderly Kings County man has been identified as the first person this year to die from the mosquito-borne West Nile virus, state health officials said Thursday.

The announcement comes as California Department of Health Services officials are girding for a potential spike in West Nile cases.

“With a wet winter and high summer temperatures in California, we expect high mosquito activity and an increase in reported illnesses associated with West Nile virus,” said Dr. Howard Backer, interim state public health officer.

The death, he said, should remind residents to use insect repellent, fit doors and windows with secure screens and eliminate sources of standing water where mosquitoes can breed.

“For most people, the risk of serious illness from West Nile virus is low, but this man’s death reminds us that we all need to take precautions to protect ourselves and our families from mosquito bites,” Backer said.

The virus is transmitted to humans and horses through mosquito bites. The insects become infected when they feed on afflicted birds.

There is no cure for the virus, but the vast majority of people infected do not get sick; those who do generally experience symptoms similar to flu. The elderly and those with compromised immune systems may become seriously ill, and complications from the virus may be fatal.

So far this year, 17 people in eight counties have become ill after exposure to the virus, including the Kings County man who died. Cases have been reported in Fresno, Kern, Kings, Merced, Riverside, Sacramento, San Bernardino and Tulare counties.

That rate of infection is down slightly from the previous year, and some experts say it may be because many more people are immune to the disease.

Warmer weather is crucial to the virus’ transmission because hotter temperatures increase mosquito activity.

A cooler-than-average spring and early summer may have delayed the onset of the season this year, experts said.

August is traditionally the month when the threat of human infection is highest, officials said.