The Fresno County Department of Public Health on Friday confirmed the county’s first human death linked to West Nile Virus this year.

The virus, transmitted through the bite of infected mosquitoes, poses a serious risk during late summer and early fall when mosquitoes are most active.

Infected mosquitoes acquire the virus by biting birds carrying the disease, which can then spread to humans and other animals.

Related Story: You Might Have West Nile Virus in Fresno County and Not Know It

Statewide, the California Department of Public Health has reported 38 human cases of WNV this year, including four deaths, according to Fresno health officials. Since the virus was first detected in California in 2003, there have been more than 8,900 cases and 390 deaths across the state.

Health officials are urging residents to take precautions to protect themselves. This includes using insect repellents with DEET, picaridin, or other recommended ingredients — especially during dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active.

Residents are also advised to ensure their windows and doors are fitted with intact screens and to eliminate standing water around their homes to reduce breeding grounds for mosquitoes.

Get More Information

Residents can visit www.fresnocountymosquito.org for more information on how to protect their family, their home, and their community from WNV and other mosquito borne illnesses.

To report dead birds and for information on WNV activity in California, visit https://westnile.ca.gov/  or call 1-877-WNV-BIRD.