Four West Nile Cases Confirmed in L.A. County

KTLA News

9:10 PM EDT, July 24, 2008

LOS ANGELES -- Los Angeles County is reporting its first cases of West Nile virus this year.

Three men and a boy have contracted the mosquito-borne disease.

Two of the men and the boy have been hospitalized with meningitis and were recovering, said Dr. Jonathan Fielding, the county's public health director.

The virus was found in the third man when he donated blood, but he had shown no symptoms, Fielding said.

None of the four names was released.

Fielding said the people live in the eastern and southeastern sections of the county.

Last year there were 43 confirmed human cases in Los Angeles County, and five people were killed.

At least 11 people in California have contracted West Nile this year. In 2007, California had 380 human cases and 21 people died.

Symptoms of West Nile Virus can include fever, headache, body aches and nausea.

West Nile is spread to humans from the bite of an infected mosquito.

Dead birds and tree squirrels should be reported to (877) WNV-BIRD, or online at www.westnile.ca.gov.