Sep 15, 2007 3:05 am US/Pacific
3 Deaths In Riverside Linked To West Nile Virus
RIVERSIDE, Calif. (CBS) ―
Three people in Riverside County died recently from complications linked to West Nile virus, health officials reported Friday.
A 56-year-old Riverside man, a 74-year-old Coachella Valley woman and an 83-year-old Corona man were casualties of the virus, according to Department of Public Health Infectious Diseases Director Barbara Cole.
She said all of the victims had previous underlying health problems.
"Sometimes there are other health issues, and West Nile ends up being a contributing factor," Cole said.
A total of eight Riverside County residents have been infected with the virus this year, compared to four last year -- one of whom died, health officials said.
According to Cole, the county health department confirmed the three death= this week, but she did not offer additional details or disclose the patients' names.
"This is a reminder of how serious the virus can be," Cole said of the latest cases. "We want to express the importance of taking preventive measures, like getting rid of standing water where you live and using door screens."
The vast majority of people stricken with the virus are infected by mosquitoes, according to the California Department of Public Health. A mosquito becomes a West Nile carrier after it feeds on an infected bird, and then spreads the virus to humans and animals when it bites.
In rare cases, people become infected through blood transfusions.
Even when a person becomes infected, he or she may never manifest symptoms, Cole said.
"Only a small percentage of people ever develop severe symptoms from West Nile," she said. "The most vulnerable are the elderly, the very young and people with conditions that might allow their immune systems to be easily compromised."
Cole said symptoms often resemble the flu -- severe headache, neck stiffness and fever. Treatment of less severe cases often requires bed rest and ample fluid intake, although critical cases necessitate hospitalization.
There have been 231 reported cases of West Nile statewide this year, with the highest concentration -- 107 cases -- in Kern County, according to state health officials.
(© 2007 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
