California reported its first death of the year on the West Nile

by



[ad_1]

The death occurred in San Luis Obispo County, according to a press release from the California Department of Public Health. He gave no other information to identify the death.

“West Nile virus activity is increasing in the state, so I urge Californians to take all possible precautions to protect themselves against mosquito bites,” said Dr Tomás Aragón, head of public health and director of the health department, in the statement.

West Nile virus is usually spread through the bite of infected mosquitoes. The virus has been identified in 177 mosquitoes from 13 counties in the state, according to the health department.

“Warm temperatures this month are contributing to the increase in mosquito numbers and the increased risk of transmission of the virus to humans,” the statement said, adding that “activity is within expected levels” this summer.

Symptoms of West Nile infection include fatigue, fever, headache, body aches, rash, and swollen lymph nodes. However, 80% of those infected have no symptoms, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Although the risk of serious illness is low, people 50 years of age or older and people with diabetes or high blood pressure have “a higher risk of getting sick,” according to the state health department.

Less than 1% of those infected develop severe neuroinvasive disease, such as encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) or meningitis (inflammation of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord), according to the CDC.
There is no vaccine or specific treatment for West Nile virus.

The health service recommends wearing appropriate clothing and repellant outdoors, especially early in the morning or evening; seal windows and doors with tight fitting screens; and, since mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water, eliminate “all sources of standing water on your property.”

[ad_2]

Source link