State health officials say four Californians have tested positive for West Nile virus this week. But the year-to-date total stands at only five cases statewide. KPBS Reporter Kenny Goldberg has the story
Statewide last year, 935 Californians were infected with West Nile virus, and 19 people died from the disease. Human cases were found in 40 of the state's counties. Riverside, San Bernadino, and Sacramento counties were hit especially hard.
So far this year, it's a much different story. The virus has been detected in dead birds in 26 counties, but there have been only five human cases and no fatalities. San Diego County reports no human cases to date, and only three dead birds.
But state health officials caution the summer's not over yet. And officials say the current heat wave throughout much of California is conducive to mosquito breeding. So officials advise residents to protect themselves when they're outdoors.
Kenny Goldberg, KPBS News.
