Health officials say West Nile shouldn't cause wide concern.

Last year the deadly SARS virus sparked widespread fears that turned out to be widely overblown.

This year, it's the West Nile Virus.

While local public health officials acknowledge that the mosquito-borne virus is a serious illness, one that has packed a more serious punch than SARS, relatively few people have become ill from it so far and the chances of dying are remote.

"I would not want to get West Nile virus, but let's look at your chances of a traffic accident or a drowning," said Dr. Laurene Mascola, chief of acute communicable diseases at the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services. "It's a much lower threat."

Since not all mosquitoes even carry the virus, less than 1 percent of people bitten are even exposed to it. And of those bitten, only 20 percent will exhibit any symptoms, with fewer than 1 percent getting a serious illness, such as encephalitis or meningitis.

Moreover, the entire population is not at risk. The disease generally hits people over 50, and particularly those with prior medical conditions.

So far in California, with a population topping 30 million, there are 169 cases statewide, including 53 in the county, and five confirmed deaths, including two in the county. Compare this to the average flu season in the United States that claims 35,000 lives, Mascola said.

Moreover, some simple precautions can minimize risk, such as using a DEET-based mosquito repellant at dusk and dawn when the insects are the most active. "People just don't like to know there is something out there that can harm them. I think people want us to make the world safe for them," Mascola said.

Staff reporter Laurence Darmiento can be reached at [phone], ext. 237, or at [e-mail].