181 human cases have been reported throughout California so far this year, compared to 101 human cases reported statewide at this same time last year.

"The death of a Long Beach resident due to West Nile Virus is a sad and sobering reminder of the risk posed by mosquito bites," Dr. Kushner said. "We need to take precautions to avoid mosquito bites and minimize risk of WNV infection especially at this time of the year when the risk of infection is at its highest."

As previously reported by LBREPORT.com, an August City release indicated that a 61 year old man -- also from East Long Beach -- with no underlying health issues was recovering after a bout with the mosquito-spread West Nile Virus. The City said it was the first human case of WNV in Long Beach this year.

Authorities say residents should treat WNV as endemic regionally, meaning it's basically everywhere.

West Nile Virus is transmitted to humans and animals by the bite of an infected mosquito. LB's Dept. of Health and Human Services says that "for most people, the risk of serious illness is low. However, some individuals -- less than 1 percent -- can develop a serious neurologic illness, such as encephalitis or meningitis. People 50 years of age or older and people with diabetes, high blood pressure and/or other underlying medical conditions have the greatest risk of developing serious complications. The Long Beach Health Department is reaching out specifically to this population with targeted outreach efforts to prevent West Nile disease."

LB's Dept. of Health says that to reduce the risk of exposure:

• Avoid mosquito-infested areas, especially at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active.

• Mosquitoes can breed in standing water. Eliminate standing water on your property by dumping or draining water in neglected ponds, birdbaths, fountains, buckets, old tires or anything that can hold water. Dumping or draining water will interrupt the mosquito life cycle.

• Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active.

• Use mosquito repellant containing DEET, Picaridin, or Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus. Residents should follow repellant instructions on the label. Consult with your child’s pediatrician for appropriate concentrations of DEET to be used on children under the age of two.

• Keep tight-fitting screens on doors and windows to prevent mosquitoes from entering homes and check to make sure your window screens are in good condition.

• Maintain all swimming pools in a clean and sanitary manner, with all circulation and filtration equipment operational and chemical levels within recommended guidelines; drain water from pool covers.

• Limit the watering of lawns and outdoor plants to twice a week to avoid run off to gutters and around sprinklers. Do not over water plants or lawns to avoid creating pools of standing water.

• Report dead birds and dead tree squirrels to the California Department of Public Health by calling 1-877-WNV-BIRD or online at www.westnile.ca.gov.

There is no cure for West Nile virus. One in five persons infected with WNV will exhibit symptoms, which usually occur between 5 and 15 days, and can include fever, headache, body aches, nausea, or a skin rash. These symptoms can last for several weeks to months. One in 150 people infected with the virus will require hospitalization. Severe symptoms include high fever, muscle weakness, neck stiffness, coma, paralysis, and possibly death.

In 2004, a woman in the ELB neighborhood between the Skylinks Golf Course and Wardlow Park (an area near flood control and drainage channels) died from the bite of a WNV-infected mosquito. In Sept. 2012, a young East Long Beach man became infected and at the time was reported recovering from the affects at home.

The Greater Los Angeles County Vector Control District handles mosquito abatement services East Long Beach east of Lakewood Blvd. and north of PCH. Roughly 2/3 of LB is handled by the LB Health Dept. (area generally south of PCH and west of Lakewood Blvd.) and part of NLB is handled by a Compton vector control agency.