West Nile virus took a turn for the worse this week as the first human death of 2012 was reported in Los Angeles County.
Due to health privacy laws, officials with the Greater L.A. County Vector Control District aren’t saying exactly where the death occurred, but it occurred within the last few days and was confirmed Friday, said agency spokeswoman Cynthia Miller.
Santa Clarita saw several incidents of West Nile virus this past week as one dead American crow was identified in Valencia and three mosquito samples tested positive for the virus – two in Saugus and one in Newhall.
Prior to this week, just two mosquito samples had tested positive in Newhall all year.
Countywide, 51 birds are confirmed to have died from the virus and 188 mosquito samples tested positive.
Statewide, seven people have died from the virus this year including the one this week in Los Angeles County.
Vector Control officials urge residents to take proper precautions and not leave water standing in the yard, where mosquitoes are likely to breed. The agency says:
“West Nile virus is transmitted to people and animals through the bite of an infected mosquito. There is no cure for West Nile virus. Approximately one in five people who are infected with West Nile virus will develop symptoms such as fever, headache, body aches, joint pains, vomiting, or rash. Less than one percent will develop a serious neurologic illness such as encephalitis or meningitis. About 10 percent of people who develop neurologic infection due to West Nile virus will die.
“The public is encouraged to report dead birds to help with West Nile virus surveillance and control efforts because birds play an important role in maintaining and spreading the virus. To reach the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), call the toll-free hotline at 1-877-WNV BIRD or visit on-line at www.westnile.ca.gov.”
Like this:
Like Loading...
Related
REAL NAMES ONLY: All posters must use their real individual or business name. This applies equally to Twitter account holders who use a nickname.
0 Comments
You can be the first one to leave a comment.