Results tagged “virus”

An asymptomatic blood donor in the Antelope Valley has tested positive for the West Nile Virus, marking the first case for the year, according to LA County health officials. As of June 19th in Los Angeles County, Public Health and the mosquito abatement districts have detected WNV in five dead birds, two mosquito pools, and three sentinel chickens. In past seasons, most of the infected birds and positive mosquitoes have been found in the San Fernando Valley, San Gabriel Valley, and East Los Angeles County areas.

Ah the joys of a terrible stomach flu on a college campus. As of last night, the latest numbers were out: "The number of USC students with norovirus, a highly contagious gastrointestinal virus, has reached 330 over the last five days, university officials said Tuesday.... The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health confirmed that the virus is the norovirus, which periodically breaks out on campuses, cruise ships and in nursing homes." The Daily Trojan reports the same numbers in an article today and says the end is in sight.

The LA Times have updated their article that said 200 students were infected by a one to two-day stomach virus that causes nausea, stomach cramping, diarrhea and vomiting. The number is now 275, but officials tell the Times they think it has peaked and numbers will go down but KNBC reported on TV yesterday evening that the numbers are expected to grow.

USC officials notified students of a contagious gastrointestinal virus that had infected around 30 individuals on Friday night. But by Saturday afternoon, around 75 students were reported having the virus and on Sunday night, another notification was sent out via e-mail and text--the number had reached about 130 students (e-mail in full posted below).

A virus that USC campus oficials believe is a highly contagious gastrointestinal virus has recenlty sent at least 30 students to the medical facilities, according to an e-mail alert sent to students. "This virus is not usually serious, but can cause vomiting, diarrhea and stomach-cramping," wrote Larwrence Neinstein, M.D., of the University Park Health Center. "The sickness usually has an incubation period of 24- to 48 hours, but may be as short as 12 hours." The school is not recommending a "full-scale quarantine," but encourages anyone feeling a little sick to stay home and take care of themselves, especially in light of today's football game. "We would rather you watch it on television than chance infecting your fellow students," Neinstein said.

The Orange County Health Care Agency has reported the first 2008 death in California resulting from the West Nile virus infection. The victim was a 72-year-old woman from Buena Park. Deanne Thompson, spokesperson for the agency told LAist that Southern California is seeing the biggeset increase in West Nile since 2004 when there were 62 cases in the OC alone. This year, the county has reported 26 cases not including "four asymptomatic dramatic blood donars." As to why there is an increase, officials do not know, but with recent home foreclosures and for other economic reasons, pools are not being used or maintained, therefore the still water is a perfect nesting ground for mosquitoes.

Once again, the Daily News has saved us all from despair, anguish, and strife by providing Angelenos with vital news about our city. From the folks who brought you "Breaking News: Patchy Drizzle Expected This Morning" comes "Junk e-mails spreading that promise erotic celebrity pics, Glendale company warns."