West Nile Virus Case Study
There have been 18 confirmed cases of the West Nile Virus in 2015. This Tuesday, the first death by West Nile Virus has been reported in Los Angeles County.
The San Gabriel Valley man was hospitalized in late August, and had pre-existing health conditions besides the virus. His name was withheld by the county Department of Public Health.
First Death Confirmed
It was also announced Tuesday that the city of Long Beach had its first human West Nile virus infection, names and identifying details also withheld. 2014 had a total count of 218 West Nile virus infections reported in LA County, and it is the second highest since 2004. Of the 218, 180 were hospitalized and 7 died.
Jeffrey Gunzenhauser, LA County’s interim health officer, declares that
mosquitoes are the primary pathway to human infection with the West Nile virus, and transmission has noticeably increased. In his statement he also advised the residents of LA County to take precautions against mosquitoes.
Here Are Some Helpful Tips:
Hot climates and drought conditions make for a great mosquito breeding environments, including for the ones carrying the West Nile virus, so taking certain safety precautions is important to keep this virus, and other infections, at bay.
It’s a given to stay away from mosquito-rich areas, and to cover up as much as comfort allows when outdoors.
Getting rid of pools of stagnant water is an important measure to be taken against this kind of viral infection, as well as emptying and washing any birdbaths and wading pools weekly. Residents should also make use of insect repellent containing DEET, Picaridin or Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus when outdoors, and make sure doors and windows have tight-fitting screens to keep out mosquitoes.
You May Not Present Symptoms!
Symptoms of the virus include fever, headache, body aches, nausea, vomiting and mild skin rashes, but the virus may be contracted and not show any symptoms at all. In fact, 80% of cases reported were never physically ill, so extra precaution is to be exercised, especially in the case of the elderly and people with weakened immune systems, since the virus may lead to more serious diseases such as brain inflammation and paralysis.
The San Gabriel Valley man was hospitalized in late August, and had pre-existing health conditions besides the virus. His name was withheld by the county Department of Public Health.
First Death Confirmed
It was also announced Tuesday that the city of Long Beach had its first human West Nile virus infection, names and identifying details also withheld. 2014 had a total count of 218 West Nile virus infections reported in LA County, and it is the second highest since 2004. Of the 218, 180 were hospitalized and 7 died.
Jeffrey Gunzenhauser, LA County’s interim health officer, declares that
mosquitoes are the primary pathway to human infection with the West Nile virus, and transmission has noticeably increased. In his statement he also advised the residents of LA County to take precautions against mosquitoes.
Here Are Some Helpful Tips:
Hot climates and drought conditions make for a great mosquito breeding environments, including for the ones carrying the West Nile virus, so taking certain safety precautions is important to keep this virus, and other infections, at bay.
It’s a given to stay away from mosquito-rich areas, and to cover up as much as comfort allows when outdoors.
Getting rid of pools of stagnant water is an important measure to be taken against this kind of viral infection, as well as emptying and washing any birdbaths and wading pools weekly. Residents should also make use of insect repellent containing DEET, Picaridin or Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus when outdoors, and make sure doors and windows have tight-fitting screens to keep out mosquitoes.
You May Not Present Symptoms!
Symptoms of the virus include fever, headache, body aches, nausea, vomiting and mild skin rashes, but the virus may be contracted and not show any symptoms at all. In fact, 80% of cases reported were never physically ill, so extra precaution is to be exercised, especially in the case of the elderly and people with weakened immune systems, since the virus may lead to more serious diseases such as brain inflammation and paralysis.