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LA County reports first West Nile virus death this year
Mosquitoes being dropped into tubes to be tested for West Nile virus.
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Tim Boyle
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Getty Images North America
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A person has died from West Nile virus in Los Angeles County, the first for the 2024 mosquito season, officials reported.
The San Fernando Valley resident died after suffering from a neurological illness caused by a severe case of the mosquito-borne disease, according to the L.A. County Department of Public Health.
Muntu Davis, L.A. County health officer, said in a statement that the death highlights the serious health risks posed by West Nile virus and dengue.
“Using insect repellent to prevent mosquito bites, eliminating items that hold standing water around your home where mosquitoes can lay eggs and develop, and using or fixing screens on your doors and windows to keep mosquitoes out of the home are simple steps everyone can take to significantly reduce the risk of mosquito-borne disease for both you and your neighbors,” he said in a statement.
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What we know so far
There have been 14 West Nile virus cases reported in L.A. County so far this year, excluding Long Beach and Pasadena, which have their own health departments. The Pasadena Public Health Department confirmed that there's been no reported cases, and Long Beach didn't immediately respond to LAist's inquiry.
The L.A. County Department of Public Health reported three deaths last year and none the year before.
Officials didn’t share any additional details about the latest person who died.
West Nile virus is the most common mosquito-borne disease affecting people in L.A. County, with cases reported every year.
Peak mosquito season runs from June to November in the region.
What to watch out for
West Nile spreads through the bite of an infected mosquito, but most don’t carry the virus.
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The symptoms range from mild to severe and usually start to show three days to two weeks after being infected. Most people who get it don’t have any symptoms.
Milder symptoms include fever, muscle aches, and tiredness.
Severe symptoms can include a high fever, muscle weakness, and sometimes a rash. People are encouraged to call their doctor right away if they start to show these symptoms.
Anyone could get sick, but people over 50 and those with health problems have a higher risk of serious illness.
Serious illness can include meningitis — a brain infection — limb paralysis, and swelling of the brain.
There’s no vaccine to prevent infection and no specific treatment for West Nile virus.
PRECAUTIONS TO AVOID MOSQUITO-BORNE DISEASES
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Health officials recommend these standard precautions to reduce mosquito populations and the risk of mosquito-borne diseases:
- Eliminate standing water in clogged rain gutters, rain barrels, discarded tires, buckets, watering troughs, or anything that holds water for more than a week. Eggs only need a thimbleful to hatch
- Ensure that swimming pools, spas, and ponds are properly maintained
- Change the water in pet dishes, birdbaths, and other small containers weekly
- Report neglected swimming pools in your neighborhood to your vector control district
- Keep mosquitoes out of your home by making sure doors and windows fit tightly and don’t have any tears or holes
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To prevent mosquito bites, PPHD recommends:
- Wear insect repellent containing CDC and EPA approved active ingredients: DEET®, picaridin, IR3535, or oil of lemon eucalyptus
- Wear loosely fitted, light-colored, long-sleeved shirts and long pants when outside
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Need more help?
If you’re having persistent problems, you can call 211 or your local vector control.
If you have additional questions or need to find a doctor, call the public health infoline at (833) 540-0473 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
You can find more information about West Nile virus here.
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