First case of human West Nile virus this year detected in San Diego County

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — A 71-year-old man has tested positive for West Nile virus, making him the first human case reported in San Diego County this year, authorities said Thursday.

County public health officials confirmed the case in a release, adding that the man is currently in the hospital and had recently traveled to rural Colorado where he likely caught the virus.

Officials said earlier this month, a dead bird found in the Clairemont neighborhood of San Diego also tested positive for West Nile virus. However, the most recent case in San Diego found in a human was in 2022.

According to health experts, the virus is mainly contracted among birds but can be transmitted to people when they are bitten by some mosquitoes that have fed on an infected animal.

The county has a list of tips to prevent mosquito bites on its website .

The county said 80% of people with the virus do not experience any symptoms, although about one in five people get a fever, headache, nausea, fatigue, skin rash or swollen glands.

County health officials said about one in 150 infected people may suffer serious illness or die from contracting the virus.

People can report possible mosquito activity and breeding sources to the county’s Vector Control Program by calling (858) 694-2888 or emailing vector@sdcounty.ca.gov.

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