1 Dead From West Nile Virus In Maricopa County; Officials Urge Precautions

MARICOPA COUNTY, AZ — Maricopa County has recorded its first West Nile virus death of the year, and health officials are urging residents to take mosquito bite prevention seriously as cases climb well above last year's pace.

The Maricopa County Department of Public Health confirmed the death involved an older adult with underlying health conditions.

The county has now recorded 17 human cases of West Nile virus so far this season, compared to just four cases at this point last year.

"This case is a tragic reminder that West Nile virus can cause severe illness and even death," said Melissa Kretschmer, epidemiology supervisor for the Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Diseases program. "As mosquito activity increases across Maricopa County, we encourage residents to take prevention seriously by using insect repellent, eliminating standing water around their homes and protecting themselves from mosquito bites whenever they spend time outdoors."

West Nile virus spreads through the bite of an infected mosquito. Most people who contract it never show symptoms, but about one in five develop a flu-like illness with fever, headache and body aches.

In rare cases — about one in 150 — the virus can lead to encephalitis or meningitis, which can cause paralysis, long-term disability or death.

Older adults, people with underlying health conditions and those with weakened immune systems face the highest risk of severe illness.

One of the simplest ways to reduce risk is eliminating standing water around the home. "Even an overturned bottle cap can hold enough water for mosquitoes to breed," Kretschmer said. "It's important that we remove these breeding sources that can form after rain or watering plants."

Health officials are encouraging residents to follow the county's four prevention steps: repel, remove, repair and remind. National Mosquito Awareness Week runs June 21 through 27.

More information is available at maricopa.gov/FightTheBite.