Calif. Reports Highest Number of West Nile Virus Deaths Since 2004
There have been 27 deaths related to West Nile virus in California this year -- the highest number of fatalities related to the disease since 2004, according to state data, KPCC's "KPCC News" reports (Plevin, "KPCC News," KPCC, 11/19).
Mosquitos transmit the illness to humans after biting infected birds (California Healthline, 9/4).
Details of Cases
So far this year, a total of 752 cases of West Nile virus have been reported across in California -- three times the average number of cases reported in each of the past five years ("KPCC News," KPCC, 11/19).
Of the West Nile-related deaths this year, the most were reported in:
- Orange County, where seven individuals died after contracting the virus; and
- Los Angeles County, where five individuals died after contracting the virus (Calif. West Nile Virus website, 11/19).
Overall, more than half of the West Nile cases in the state this year have been reported in Los Angeles and Orange counties.
While instances of the illness typically decline in November, the state has reported 19 new cases this month, according to "KPCC News" ("KPCC News," KPCC, 11/19).
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