Jul 24, 2008 2:29 pm US/Pacific
3 Men, A Boy Test Positive For West Nile In L.A.
LOS ANGELES
Three men and a male child were confirmed Thursday as this year's first human cases of West Nile virus in Los Angeles County.
According to the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, two of the men and the child developed symptoms of the virus and were hospitalized this month for meningitis. They were all recovering. The third man did not show any symptoms, but his infection was detected when he donated blood.
The patients were not identified, but county officials said they live in the eastern and southeastern sections of the county.
"West Nile virus can appear anywhere in Los Angeles County or around the state," said Dr. Jonathan Fielding, the county director of public health.
"Our warm weather encourages mosquito breeding, but the weather is also an invitation for individuals to spend more time outdoors. When they do, residents should take precautions to avoid mosquito bites."
The Los Angeles County cases bring to 11 the number of human West Nile virus cases in California this year. Two cases were confirmed in Orange County and one in San Diego County. Cases have also been reported in Fresno, San Joaquin, Tulare and Stanislaus counties.
In 2007, there were 43 human cases and five deaths in Los Angeles County due to West Nile virus.
The virus is spread to humans from the bite of an infected mosquito.
About 80 percent of infected people do not exhibit symptoms, but 20 percent can develop symptoms such as high fever, headache, body aches, nausea, vomiting and skin rashes.
Last week, state and county officials detected West Nile virus in nine dead birds and 11 mosquito pools in Los Angeles County. The birds were found in the eastern region of the county near the San Gabriel Valley. The mosquito-infested pools were found mainly in the San Fernando Valley.
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