Diseases
West Nile virus claims third Californian
By Sue Mueller
Sep 6, 2008 - 2:52:52 PM

If you like the article, could you please do us a favor? Just tell Google News Services that you like foodconsumer.org included in Google News Services. Inclusion in googlenewsservices means many more people can read articles like this. Thanks.
------

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.