PRESS RELEASE

Long Beach, CA - The first human case of West Nile virus (WNV) this mosquito season has been reported in Long Beach. The person, in their 60s, was hospitalized and diagnosed with neuro-invasive illness, and is currently recovering.

There have been 75 cases of WNV reported in California this year, including five deaths. This is a significant increase compared with last summer – at this time last year, only 34 cases had been reported.

Prior to the human case, the City had detected WNV-positive mosquitoes in Long Beach as part of its mosquito surveillance program.

WNV is transmitted through the bite of an infected Culex mosquito. Signs and symptoms of WNV may include fever, body aches, rash, nausea, vomiting and headache. Most people infected have no symptoms; approximately one in 150 may develop more serious disease, such as brain inflammation, paralysis or death. People who are over 50 years old or have chronic health conditions are at higher risk for severe illness; people with these symptoms should seek immediate care. There is no vaccine or treatment for WNV.

City Health Officer Dr. Anissa Davis advises residents to take the following precautions:

• Prevent mosquito bites by applying insect repellent with EPA-registered active ingredients DEET, picaridin, IR3535 or lemon eucalyptus before going outside.
• Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants if spending time outside during dawn and dusk. WNV-carrying mosquitoes are most active during those times.
• Install or repair door and window screens.
• Dump and drain standing water around your home.
• Report mosquitoes and learn more about mosquito prevention by visiting longbeach.gov/mosquitoes.
• Report dead birds online or call 877-WNV-BIRD (968-2473).

The Long Beach Health and Human Services Department’s Vector Control Program, along with its partner agencies, Greater Los Angeles County Vector Control District and Compton Creek Mosquito Abatement District, continue to treat areas with high populations of mosquitoes throughout the city daily. While these agencies are doing all they can to control the mosquito population, the public plays a critical role in reducing the mosquito population by taking the steps above.

For more information on how to protect yourself from mosquito bites, call the Mosquito Hotline at 562.570.4132. For more information on WNV, visit longbeach.gov/WNV and follow the Long Beach Health Department @LBHealthDept on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram.

Media inquiries may be directed to Jennifer Rice Epstein, Public Affairs Officer, Department of Health and Human Services, at Jennifer.RiceEpstein@longbeach.gov, 562.441.3590.