A person in Long Beach was diagnosed with a neuroinvasive disease caused by West Nile virus—the first such case reported this mosquito season, health officials said Thursday.
The virus is transmitted through the bit of an infected mosquito. Symptoms include fever, body aches, rash, nausea, vomiting and headache. Most of those infected have no symptoms, however. In rare cases the virus can be fatal.
Health officials first discovered mosquitoes with West Nile Virus in Long Beach in mid-July. Health officials reported the first two human cases of the illness in Los Angeles County in August.
So far the West Nile season has been mild, officials said, with just 128 human cases and three deaths reported statewide. That’s compared to a five-year average of 304 cases by this time of year.
Long Beach health officials still advise residents to take the following precautions:
- Prevent mosquito bites by applying insect repellent.
- Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants if spending time outside during dawn and dusk, when mosquitoes are most active.
- Install or repair door and window screens.
- Dump and drain standing water around your home.
- Report mosquitoes and learn more about mosquito prevention by clicking here or calling 562-570-4132.
- Report dead birds online here.