California reports first case of West Nile virus this year

Jun 30 2005

The first human case of West Nile virus infection in California this year has been reported in a 47-year-old Tulare County man.

State Department of Health Services say the man sought medical treatment for fever and a headache earlier this month but is now recovering.

State Health Director Sandra Shewry, is urging the public to take precautions to protect themselves from mosquito bites.

In his revised budget Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has included $12 million in extra funding for existing mosquito control programs.

The virus which is transmitted to humans and animals through mosquito bites, has already been detected in 34 of California's 58 counties in birds, mosquitoes, chickens and horses this year.