RIVERSIDE (CBSLA) — Health officials confirmed two cases of West Nile virus in Riverside County on Thursday.
A 65-year-old Mecca woman and a 71-year-old Coachella man were admitted to hospitals for treatment in recent weeks, according to the county Department of Public Health.
No other details were reported but the patients were said to be expected to recover.
West Nile is transmitted to people and animals through the bite of an infected mosquito. Last week, the Greater Los Angeles County Vector Control District reported finding mosquitoes in Bellflower that tested positive for the virus.
Virus-positive mosquitoes were found in Long Beach earlier in July, and in Los Angeles at the beginning of August.
“Mosquito bites aren’t just annoying, they may make you sick. So everyone should take protective action by using mosquito repellent when outdoors and getting rid of items in their homes or yards that collect standing water where mosquitoes can breed,” Dr. Muntu Davis, Los Angeles County’s health officer, said in a statement.
According to the department, symptoms from contracting West Nile can include fever, headache, body aches, nausea, or skin rash and can last for several days to months.
Health officials offered tips to reduce mosquito habitats including eliminating standing water, making sure swimming pools are properly maintained, and changing the water in pet dishes and birdbaths weekly.
Officials urged the public to report stagnant swimming pools or “green pools” to the Public Health Environmental Health Bureau at (626) 430-5200, or to a local vector control agency.
More information can be found at Vector Control District and Public Health.
(© Copyright 2019 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. City News Service contributed to this report.)
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