Six new human infections of West Nile Virus have been reported in the county, including one in Valencia, according to the weekly Los Angeles County Epidemiology Report.

The other infection reports came from Lawndale, Torrance, West Covina, Encino and Woodland Hills.

A total of 131 WNV infections in the county and 131 cases in the state have been reported so far this year, according to the report. Five people have died from the infection in the county.

According to the state, 347 people have been infected by WNV and 15 have died from the infection.

Also, St. Louis encephalitis showed up this week in the Antelope Valley for the first time in 27 years.

“A sentinel chicken from a Palmdale coop has tested positive for SLEV (St. Louis encephalitis virus),” according to the report. “This is the first detection of SLEV in the AV since 1989 when a human case was diagnosed.

“Human SLEV cases are rare and similar in presentation to West Nile virus disease. The virus is transmitted by the same mosquitos as WNV.”

To avoid both WNV and SLEV, make sure to wear mosquito repellant when outdoors; wear long sleeves, pants, socks; take extra care during dusk to dawn; repair window and door screens; and empty standing water.

For more information about prevention, click [here].