Two people in California have reportedly died due to mosquito bites infected with West Nile virus.
The California Department of Health said the West Nile virus deaths are the state's first two of the summer. A senior citizen in Sacramento County and an adult in Shasta County both died after contracting the virus from mosquito bites. The elderly 74-year-old woman also had an underlying chronic disease and was hospitalized.
"This is a very sad outcome, one we had hoped to prevent. We are working to educate people about steps that can be taken to prevent contracting West Nile Virus," Sacramento County Health Officer Olivia Kasirye said.
Seven other cases are under investigation as public health officials continue to gather information on those individuals, according to USA Today.
Of the 82 cases reported in the United States, four other people have died this year from West Nile virus, according to the CDC. Arizona reported two deaths, while Louisiana and Missouri each reported one as well.
Mosquitos contract the deadly virus by feeding on infected birds. They can then transmit the disease to humans and animals. West Nile Virus can cause serious neurological illness such as encephalitis or meningitis, although this happens to less than one percent of people exposed, according to the CDC.
Most people (70-80 percent) infected with the virus develop no symptoms. About 20 percent suffer symptoms like fever, headache, body aches, joint pains, vomiting, diarrhea or rash, but recover completely.
The CDC recommends a number of prevention tips to avoid West Nile virus:
- Use insect repellent outdoors that contain DEET, picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus.
- Wear long sleeves, long pants and socks when outdoors, weather permitting.
- Avoid going outdoors around dawn or dusk when mosquitos are most active.
- Install or repair window or door screens and use air conditioning if possible.
- Eliminate standing water from flowerpots, gutters, birdbaths or pool covers.
The West Nile virus caused 286 deaths in the United States in 2012. That number dropped by more than half last year, with 119 deaths.
