VALLEY MAN INFECTED WITH WEST NILE.

Byline: SUSAN ABRAM

Staff Writer

A San Fernando Valley man is the first in Los Angeles County to be sickened by West Nile virus this year, one of 80 human cases so far in California, public health officials announced Thursday.

The unidentified, middle-age man is recuperating, officials said, but experts said his infection emphasizes that the transmission cycle is moving faster this year than last, especially in the San Fernando Valley.

So far, West Nile virus has been detected in nine dead birds and 14 mosquito pools, the majority in the San Fernando Valley.

The San Fernando Valley man who was sickened reported fever, headaches and fatigue in mid-July. He was hospitalized briefly with West Nile meningitis, and told health officials he frequently travels for his job through Southern California counties, including San Diego.

Health officials are trying to determine where he may have contracted the virus.

The number of human West Nile virus cases this year has tripled statewide compared to last year. There have been five deaths so far, the majority in Kern County.

Health and vector control officials say despite this year's drought, small, hidden ponds are proving to be fertile breeding grounds for the virus.

"The heat in general triggers more activity, but with the drought there are bodies of water that recede, which makes it harder for us to identify mosquito pools," said Truc Dever, spokeswoman for the Greater Los Angeles County Vector Control District.

"All it takes is a thimble of water for mosquitoes to breed in."

Officials are asking residents to limit the time front lawns are watered and keep an eye on the backyard pools of foreclosed homes.

"A huge number of our service requests are these dirty swimming pools, and we've asked real estate agents to also notify us," Dever said.

Vector control can impose $1,000 fine if a pool is not cleaned. So far, there have been no citations.

Last week, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger declared a state of emergency for Kern, Colusa and San Joaquin counties.

"We are urging people to take precautions such as getting rid of pools of stagnant water around their homes, and using a repellant containing DEET when outdoors in mosquito-prone areas, especially around dawn or dusk," said Dr. Jonathan Fielding, director of Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.

susan.abram(at)dailynews.com

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