COUNTY HAS YEAR'S 1ST W. NILE CASE.Byline: Karen Rubin Staff Writer Officials on Tuesday reported the first confirmed case of West Nile virus West Nile virus, microorganism and the infection resulting from it, which typically produces no symptoms or a flulike condition. The virus is a flavivirus and is related to a number of viruses that cause encephalitis. in Los Angeles County this year, months before the mosquito-borne illness usually appears and prompting health officials to remind people to take precautions. A senior citizen, who lives in east Los Angeles East Los Angeles, uninc. city (1990 pop. 126,379), Los Angeles co., S Calif., a residential suburb of Los Angeles, in an industrial area. It has a large Mexican-American population. There is a performing arts center and a cultural center. A junior college is there. County, is recovering at home after suffering a high fever and an ``altered state of consciousness An altered state of consciousness is any condition which is significantly different from a normative waking beta wave state. The expression was coined by Charles Tart and describes induced changes in one's mental state, almost always temporary. .'' Officials believe the unidentified man might be suffering from life-threatening West Nile encephalitis encephalitis (ĕnsĕf'əlī`təs), general term used to describe a diffuse inflammation of the brain and spinal cord, usually of viral origin, often transmitted by mosquitoes, in contrast to a bacterial infection of the meninges - inflammation of the brain - or meningitis - an inflammation of the lining of the brain or spinal cord. ``We don't know how he got it,'' said Dr. Jonathan E. Fielding. ``This person was hospitalized but is now no longer in the hospital. He had not been traveling and he did not notice any mosquito bites.'' The case could be the first human case in California this year, but it has not been confirmed by the state Department of Health Services Department of Health Services may refer to:
Last weekend, a West Nile-infected dead crow was found in Valencia. Now that this case has come to light, health officials are urging people to clear standing water, use insect repellent, wear pants and long-sleeve shirts, and install screens on doors and windows Doors and Windows is a multimedia disk by the Irish band The Cranberries. Track listing
``It's an alarming sign,'' said Steve West, the district manager of the San Gabriel Valley The San Gabriel Valley is one of the principal valleys of southern California. It lies to the east of the city of Los Angeles, to the north of the Puente Hills, to the south of the San Gabriel Mountains, and to the west of the Inland Empire. Mosquito & Vector Control District. ``It was operating in what we consider to be the dead of winter. These mosquitoes are infecting in lower nighttime temperatures than in the past - even lower than last year.'' Last year's West Nile epidemic was the first in California, in which 306 cases were reported, according to the county's Department of Health Services. West Nile is spread by mosquitoes that bite infected birds. Most cases are considered mild, but people suffer from fevers, headaches and skin rashes. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Karen Rubin, (626) 962-8811, Ext. 2109 karen.rubin(at)sgvn.com |
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