California's First

California's 1st of the Year Falls

West Nile Virus Claims State's First Human Victim in 2005
A 53-year-old Glenn County man who contracted the West Nile virus last fall is California's first victim of the disease in 2005.

The California Department of Health Services confirmed that WNV caused the death of Capay resident Daniel Merke. Merke, who was reported to be severely immunosuppressed from anti-rejection drugs taken for two organ transplants, was paralyzed by the infection before succumbing.

The DHS and Glenn County Public Health Department learned of the death when a published obitutary identified West Nile Virus as the cause of death.

According to the state's West Nile Virus website (see link below), the death is the first reported West Nile virus fatality in California this year. Last year, there were 870 cases of West Nile virus infection and 27 deaths.

So far this year, the virus has been detected in 19 California counties. Glenn County was not one of them, although the disease was detected in the county last year.

Since January 1, there have been no new reports of human cases of West Nile virus in California. However, officials expect to begin seeing cases as warm weather and longer days allow people to spend more times outdoors.

The virus, which is transmitted only by mosquitoes, can infect birds, horses, and other animals in addition to humans. It cannot be spread directly from human to human.

West Nile virus is considered relatively difficult to contract, and causes only mild flu-like symptoms in most of those who are infected. However, about one percent of those who contract the disease will develop encephalitis, an infection of the brain, or meningitis, an inflammation of the membrane around the brain and the spinal cord. Either of the more serious conditions can be fatal.

Experts with the Centers for Disease Control say the best way to prevent West Nile virus is to avoid mosquito bites. People who spend time outdoors are advised to wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants, apply a mosquito-repellent that contains DEET, and avoid peak mosquito hours in the evening hours.

The CDC also recommends cleaning areas of standing water where mosquitoes can breed and making sure window and door screens are in good repair.

Because the disease is often first detected in diseased birds, public health officials are asking that the discovery of dead birds be reported to the local county health department.

California West Nile Virus Information