by TImothy Rutt
The victim was an older man from the South Bay with pre-existing health conditions who was hospitalized at time of death, according to a press release. While this is the first fatality, to date 13 infections have been documented, according to county healh officials. Six were documented from blood donors who did not have symptoms.
In 2012, 174 cases were reported in Los Angeles County.
To date, county health officials have detected WNV in 118 mosquito pools and 141 dead birds, mostly occurring in the South Bay.
To decrease risk of infection, county officials are urging residents to avoid mosquito-infested areas at dawn and dusk; use repellants containing DEET, picardin, or oil of eucalyptus; check window screens for holes; do not allow water to stagnate in old tires, flowerpots, swimming pools, birdbaths, etc.; empty and wash birdbaths and wading pools weekly.
Dead birds may be reported by calling (877) 968-2473 or logging onto http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/vet/disintro.htm. . Stagnant swimming pools or “green pools” should be reported to the Public Health Environmental Health Bureau at (626) 430-5200,
