Kings County health officials confirmed Thursday the county’s first West Nile virus-related death of the year.

The fatal case was among five West Nile virus infections reported in the county since July 10, according to the Kings County Department of Public Health.

“We are deeply saddened to report the death of a Kings County resident from West Nile virus,” Heather Campos, assistant director of the department, said in a statement. “This unfortunate loss is a stark reminder of the potential severity of WNV. We urge all residents to take precautions against mosquito bites, especially by removing standing water where mosquitoes can breed.”

Most people infected with West Nile virus experience no symptoms or mild flu-like illness, health officials said. Severe cases, more common among older adults, can cause fever, headache, stiff neck, rash, joint pain, disorientation and even altered consciousness.

Help Protect Yourself from West Nile Virus

To reduce the risk of being bitten by mosquitoes and contracting WNV, residents are urged to take the following precautions:

• Apply EPA-registered insect repellents that contain DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or IR 3535, especially at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes that can transmit WNV are most active.
• Make sure that doors and windows have tight-fitting screens to keep out mosquitoes and repair or replace screens that have holes.
• Eliminate standing water and containers that can hold water from around the home.
• Contact mosquito abatement districts to report poorly maintained swimming pools or water features that appear green.

Residents with mosquito problems or neglected swimming pools are encouraged to contact the Kings Mosquito Abatement District at (559) 584-3326 or through its website, www.kingsmosquito.net.

Additional information about West Nile virus is available at westnile.ca.gov.

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