One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.
LA County health officials report first West Nile virus death of the year
The Culex tarsalis mosquito is one of the most common in Los Angeles County.
(
Settapongd Dee-ud/Getty Images
/
iStockphoto
)
Topline:
A San Fernando Valley resident has died after developing a severe case of West Nile virus, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health announced Friday. It’s the first death from the virus this year.
What we know: The person was hospitalized with a neurological illness that was caused by the virus. The L.A. County Department of Public Health has identified 14 West Nile virus infections this year, with half living in the San Fernando Valley. The first was reported in September.
Is this normal? L.A. County Public Health reports 56 West Nile cases on average — that’s not counting Pasadena or Long Beach, which have their own health departments. Officials say that’s an undercount because most infected people have mild cases or don’t realize they’ve been infected. About three quarters of reported cases are severe, with about 10% of patients dying from complications.
What can I do? County health officials are asking for the public’s help to prevent the spread of mosquitoes. You can do that by using EPA-registered repellents, such as ones with DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus. The EPA has a search tool to find those on its website. You can also help by clearing small and large areas of standing water, which are hotbeds for mosquito breeding — particularly after the recent October storm system. The peak of the season lasts through November.
One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
