Two Human Cases of West Nile Virus Confirmed in L.A. County

Two men in Los Angeles County have been hospitalized with West Nile Virus, said health officials Monday, marking the county's first reported human cases of the year.

Both men are middle-aged and have preexisting health conditions, according to a statement by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.

"West Nile Virus can appear anywhere in Los Angeles County or around the state," said Jonathan E. Fielding, MD, MPH, Director of Public Health and Health Officer in a statement. "We urge residents to get rid of pools of stagnant water around their homes where mosquitoes breed. Use a repellent containing DEET, or another approved repellent, when outdoors in mosquito-prone areas, especially around dawn or dusk."

As of Friday, mosquito abatement districts have detected the virus in 45 dead birds and 115 mosquito samples throughout the County, according to the Public Health statement.

The level of West Nile Virus detected in dead birds and mosquito samples in the County this July is the highest it's been since 2008, said Suzanne Kluh, director of scientific-technical services, Greater Los Angeles County Vector Control District in a statement Monday.

West Nile Virus is spread from humans through the bite of an infected mosquito. The virus is not spread through person-to-person contact.

Fewer than one in 150 people who are bitten by an infected mosquito become severely ill, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The following 10 states reported the most incidents of severe cases last year:

2010 West Nile virus human infections report (Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

The County's Department of Public Health offered tips on decreasing risk of infection:

• Avoid mosquito-infested areas at dawn and dusk.
• Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants whenever you are outdoors.
• Repellents containing DEET, picaridin, or oil of eucalyptus, when used as labeled, are effective defenses against mosquitoes.
• Check your window screens for holes.
• Do not allow water to collect and stagnate in old tires, flowerpots, swimming pools, birdbaths, pet bowls, or other containers. These are prime breeding grounds for mosquitoes.
• Clean and chlorinate swimming pools; drain water from pool covers.
• Stock garden ponds with goldfish or other mosquito- eating fish. These eat mosquito eggs and larvae.
• Empty and wash birdbaths and wading pools weekly.