A South Bay resident has died from a neuroinvasive illness caused by West Nile virus, marking the first confirmed death this year from the mosquito-borne disease in Los Angeles County. “West Nile virus continues to be a serious health threat to residents in Los Angeles County,” Dr. Muntu Davis, the Los Angeles County health officer, said in a statement. AdvertisementWest Nile virus first emerged in L.A. County in 2004, and the county has seen increased levels of virus activity for the last six years, including in 2017 when there were 27 confirmed deaths related to the virus, according to county data. The majority of people infected with West Nile virus don’t feel sick. There is no vaccine or specific antiviral treatments for West Nile virus infection.

Source: Los Angeles Times October 03, 2019 02:03 UTC