Los Angeles County health officials announced Monday the season’s first human case of West Nile virus in the county’s jurisdiction.
The patient was described only as a “male youth from the South Bay” who has no prior medical history and was hospitalized in mid-July but is now recovering at home.
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health’s jurisdiction does not include Long Beach and Pasadena, which have their own health departments.
“West Nile can appear anywhere in Los Angeles County, and we are urging people to take precautions, such as getting rid of pools of stagnant water around their homes and using a repellent containing DEET when outdoors, especially around dawn or dusk,” said Jeffrey Gunzenhauser, the county’s interim health officer. “All residents should take the proper precautions to avoid and protect against mosquitoes.”
There is no cure for West Nile virus, which is transmitted to people through the bite of an infected mosquito.
One in five of those infected will exhibit symptoms that usually appear five to 15 days after exposure and can include fever, headache, body aches, nausea or a skin rash.
One in 150 people infected with the virus will require hospitalization, according to the district, which reports that severe symptoms include high fever, muscle weakness, neck stiffness, coma, paralysis and possibly death.
Residents are urged to eliminate mosquito breeding areas, such as water left standing for more than one week, be it in pools, fountains, flower pots, pet dishes or other places were it can collect, like clogged drain gutters, rain gutters, discarded tires, buckets, etc.
— City News Service