West Nile virus: 1st local human case since 2013 reported in the High Desert

From The Sun
September 20, 2018

Public health officials have confirmed San Bernardino County’s first locally acquired human case of West Nile virus in the High Desert.

According to a statement issued by the county’s Department of Public Health, this is the first human case of the virus acquired in the county since 2013. In previous cases, officials suspected that the infection was contracted outside of the region.

West Nile virus can cause serious illnesses in humans, said Maxwell Ohikhuare, the county’s health officer. “I urge residents to take precautions to protect themselves against mosquito bites,” he said.

According to the California Department of Public Health, this year, Los Angeles County has reported nine human West Nile virus cases. Orange and Riverside counties have reported five cases each.

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