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| credit:IDPH |
Saturday, Sept. 5, 2008
(foodconsumer.org) -- West Nile virus is probably responsible for the
death of a person in California, the third one who died of
implications of the virus in the state. Los Angeles Times reported
today.
The 48-year-old man who died on Aug. 27
of the mosquito-borne virus was a resident of San Bernardino County.
"The Rialto man also suffered from
pre-existing medical conditions which increase the possibility of
dying from the virus. It is unknown exactly where he contracted the
virus," the state west nile monitoring agency said in its
statement.
Earlier last month a Garden Grove,
California man reportedly died from West Nile infection, the second
fatality in Orange County so far this year, according to the Health
Care Agency.
The man, 64, who was not identified,
tested positive for West Nile virus, spokeswoman Deanne Thompson
said. It is unknown when, where and how he contracted the virus
although most cases are caused by a bite of an infected mosquito.
As of Sept 5, Orange County has
recorded a total of 44 human cases of West Nile virus including two
deaths. The first person who died from the disease was a 72-year-old
woman in Buena Park.
County heath officials early warned
that the risk of human infection in Southern California is the
particularly high.
So far this year, a total of 132 cases
have been reported in California of which San Bernardino County
currently accounts for 5. The state has had only two other deaths
from the infection in 2008 that occurred in Orange County.
In comparison, 380 people in the state
contracted West Nile virus in 2007 and 21 died of the infection.
California gives its residents the
following advice to prevent further cases of WNV, the Department of
Public Health encourages people to follow these precautions:
* DAWN AND DUSK - Mosquitoes that
carry WNV bite in the early morning and evening so it is important to
wear repellent at this time. Make sure your doors and windows have
tight-fitting screens to keep out mosquitoes. Repair or replace
screens that are torn or have holes.
* DEET - Apply insect repellant
containing DEET, picaradin, Oil of lemon eucalyptus or IR 3535
according to label instructions. Repellents keep the mosquitoes from
biting you. DEET can be used safely on infants and children 2 months
of age and older.
* DRESS - Wear clothing that
reduces the risk of skin exposure. When outdoors, wear long pants and
long-sleeved shirts.
* DRAIN - Mosquitoes lay their eggs
on standing water. Remove all sources of standing water on your
property, including flower pots, old car tires, rain gutters and pet
bowls. If you have a pond, use mosquito fish or commercially
available products to eliminate mosquito larvae.
