Oct 23, 2008 9:06 am US/Pacific
Elderly Man Dies After Contracting West Nile
RANCHO PALOS VERDES, Calif. (AP) ―
An elderly Rancho Palos Verdes man has died after contracting West Nile virus. The virus has been a past problem is several Socal areas this year, mostly being found in stale water such as abandoned pools and swamp areas.
Seven Californians have died of the mosquito-borne disease this year.
The Los Angeles County West Vector Control District says the Rancho Palos Verdes man, whose name is being withheld, was hospitalized with encephalitis and he died Oct. 10.
It is not clear where the victim was when he contracted the virus, which is transmitted by mosquito bites and can cause encephalitis, meningitis, fever and sometimes death, especially in elderly people or those with immune deficiencies.
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