From the Desert Sun
July 9, 2019
An Imperial County resident died from West Nile virus, a county health official confirmed Tuesday morning.
He was the first person to die of West Nile virus in California this year. Imperial County Public Health Department officials haven’t released specific details about the patient, but his daughter told The Desert Sun his name was Robert Mears, 74, and he died July 4 at University of California, San Diego Medical Center.
Mears started feeling ill shortly after his birthday on June 11 and believed he suffered from a cold. Mears “was a trooper” and continued his daily routine until his condition worsened and he was admitted to Pioneer Memorial Hospital in Brawley, said daughter Doree Grindell of San Diego. He later moved to Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs before relocating to San Diego, where he died.