(July 21, 2004) -- The first person in California to die of the mosquito-borne West Nile Virus is a 57 year old man from Orange County.

"The man was admitted to a local hospital on June 17 with symptoms of encephalitis and died one week later. Final test results confirming West Nile virus infection were received on Wednesday July 21." The agency release did not report details of the area in which the victim resided or became infected.

In a written release, Orange County's Health Care Agency said "most people who become infected with West Nile Virus (WNV) do not experience symptoms or become ill. As many as 20% of those with WNV infection may experience mild to moderate symptoms and about 1 in every 150 people infected will experience the most serious complications. Anyone who develops symptoms such as a high fever, confusion, muscle weakness, severe headaches or stiff neck should seek medical care immediately. Adults over 50 years of age are at increased risk of serious complications from WNV infection."

The OC Health Care Agency recommended precautions including:

• Eliminating any standing water from your property to reduce mosquito breeding
• Using insect repellent containing DEET, always following lable directions
• Making sure your window and door screens are in good condition
• Limiting outdoor activity at dawn and dusk, when mosquitoes are most active
• Wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants when outdoors.

Further to follow as we learn it.

Recent LBReport.com coverage:

So Many West Nile Virus Dead Birds, Gov't Agencies Stop Testing Them In Various Zip Codes Including Some In LB; Phone Reports Still Welcome

Seven Human West Nile Cases ID'd in L.A. County, Some Leading To Encephalitis and Meningitis, All From "Eastern Region" of County

Residents Urged To Take Protective Measures At Evening Muni Band Concerts Due To West Nile Virus; Other Sobering Info At Council Briefing on WNV

LB Dead Crow Toll Mounts, Dead Birds Increasingly Prevalent As West Nile Virus Spreads

West Nile Virus Infected Mosquitoes Found In Vicinity of Alamitos Bay Marina & PCH/Westminster area; Numerous Infected Dead Crows From Zips 90808 and 90815, Also Lakewood Zip 90713

LBUSD Sends Updated West Nile Virus Prevention Tips To Principals for Distribution to Staff & Parents; We Post Text

Kell Agendizes Report On City's West Nile Virus Efforts

West Nile Virus Watch: