LA County reports first West Nile virus death this year

A person has died from West Nile virus in Los Angeles County, the first for the 2024 mosquito season, officials reported.

The San Fernando Valley resident died after suffering from a neurological illness caused by a severe case of the mosquito-borne disease, according to the L.A. County Department of Public Health.

Muntu Davis, L.A. County health officer, said in a statement that the death highlights the serious health risks posed by West Nile virus and dengue .

“Using insect repellent to prevent mosquito bites, eliminating items that hold standing water around your home where mosquitoes can lay eggs and develop, and using or fixing screens on your doors and windows to keep mosquitoes out of the home are simple steps everyone can take to significantly reduce the risk of mosquito-borne disease for both you and your neighbors,” he said in a statement.

What we know so far

There have been 14 West Nile virus cases reported in L.A. County so far this year, excluding Long Beach and Pasadena, which have their own health departments. The Pasadena Public Health Department confirmed that there's been no reported cases, and Long Beach didn't immediately respond to LAist's inquiry.

The L.A. County Department of Public Health reported three deaths last year and none the year before.

Officials didn’t share any additional details about the latest person who died.

West Nile virus is the most common mosquito-borne disease affecting people in L.A. County, with cases reported every year.

Peak mosquito season runs from June to November in the region.

What to watch out for

West Nile spreads through the bite of an infected mosquito, but most don’t carry the virus.

The symptoms range from mild to severe and usually start to show three days to two weeks after being infected. Most people who get it don’t have any symptoms.

Milder symptoms include fever, muscle aches, and tiredness.

Severe symptoms can include a high fever, muscle weakness, and sometimes a rash. People are encouraged to call their doctor right away if they start to show these symptoms.

Anyone could get sick, but people over 50 and those with health problems have a higher risk of serious illness.

Serious illness can include meningitis — a brain infection — limb paralysis, and swelling of the brain.

There’s no vaccine to prevent infection and no specific treatment for West Nile virus.

Need more help?

If you’re having persistent problems, you can call 211 or your local vector control .

If you have additional questions or need to find a doctor, call the public health infoline at (833) 540-0473 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

You can find more information about West Nile virus here .