LOS ANGELES, July 10 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The first mosquito-borne West Nile Virus (WNV) death in California in 2021 was confirmed in San Luis Obispo County this week, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) said Friday.
Dr. Tomas J. Aragon, director of the CDPH and state public health officer, said that more cases of the fatal virus, which could be transmitted to humans and animals by the bite of an infected mosquito, had been reported recently.
“West Nile virus activity in the state is increasing, so I urge Californians to take every possible precaution to protect against mosquito bites,” he said.
As of July 9, WNV had been detected in 45 dead birds from six counties and 177 mosquito samples from 13 counties, the CDPH noted, adding hot temperatures this month are contributing to increasing numbers of mosquitoes and the increased risk of virus transmission to humans.
Nationwide, new reports from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showed that at least six states, including Arizona, Arkansas, Illinois, Iowa, Massachusetts, New York and Colorado had detected mosquitoes that carry West Nile virus, and humans had contracted the disease in four of these places.
The CDPH said WMV is influenced by many factors, including climate, the number and types of birds and mosquitoes in an area, and the level of WNV immunity in birds. While the risk of serious illness to most people is low, some individuals, less than one percent, can develop serious neurologic illnesses such as encephalitis or meningitis.
It’s the first reported case of the West Nile virus in California in 2021, as well as the first death from the mosquito-borne disease, a San Luis Obispo County Public Health Department news release said.
“We extend our sincere condolences to this patient’s family,” Dr. Penny Borenstein, county Public Health officer, said in the release. “This loss is a tragic reminder that West Nile virus is here in California and can cause very serious illness. Please, be sure to protect yourself from mosquito bites and drain any sources of standing water where mosquitoes can breed.”
The person likely did not contract the virus in San Luis Obispo County, the release said. Instead, they probably caught the illness while traveling to an area of California where mosquitoes regularly test positive for the West Nile virus.
There have been more than 300 deaths from West Nile virus in California since 2003, according to the California Department of Public Health.
Infected mosquitoes transmit the West Nile virus by biting humans, most of whom don’t experience any symptoms, the county release said.
About one in five West Nile patients experience flu-like symptoms, and less than 1% of those infected experience a serious neurologic illness.
People older than 50 and those with medical conditions such as diabetes and hypertension are at higher risk of getting seriously ill from West Nile.
To prevent West Nile virus, the San Luis Obispo County Public Health Department encourages residents to wear protective clothing and use insect repellent that contains DEET, picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus. — NNN-AGENCIES
