West Nile Virus - First Death in County
Last updated 9/19/2016 at 4:24pm
A San Marcos woman died on Sept 15 from a probable case of West Nile virus according to the San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency.
Although the woman had underlying medical conditions, initial tests indicate West Nile virus was the probable cause of death. Vector Control inspectors found invasive Aedes mosquitoes near the person’s home. This is the first county resident this season and the California Department of Public Health will confirm the local test findings.
“The unfortunate death of this woman is a reminder that the public should take precautions to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes, which transmit West Nile and other viruses,” said Wilma Wooten, M.D., M.P.H., County public health officer.
There have been eight confirmed and three probable cases of West Nile virus in county residents so far this season, all of which were acquired locally.
Invasive Aedes mosquitoes can transmit Zika virus to other persons if they first bite a person with the virus.
Vector Control plans to spray in the Skyline community Wednesday to kill mosquitoes that may carry and spread the virus.
