First Case Of Travel-Related West Nile Virus Confirmed In County

ALPINE, CA — A 61-year-old Alpine man is the first person in 2020 in San Diego County to test positive for West Nile virus, health officials announced Wednesday.

The man, whose name was withheld, was hospitalized and has since recovered, according to the San Diego County Health and Human Services. The California Department of Public Health confirmed the case Tuesday.

The man said he had traveled to Yuma, Arizona, where it is believed he contracted the virus, according to Health and Human Services.

Since Jan. 1, there have been two West Nile virus positive detections in mosquitoes during routine trapping by the county vector control program, one in the Del Mar area and the other in the Black Mountain Ranch area.

There were only three human cases of West Nile virus in San Diego County in 2019 and two in 2018.

West Nile virus is mainly a bird disease but can be transmitted to people by certain species of mosquitoes that first feed on an infected bird or animal and then a bite a person.

Eighty percent of people who become infected with West Nile virus never know it and never suffer any symptoms, according to Health and Human Services. Around one in five people who are infected develop a fever and other symptoms such as headache, nausea, fatigue, skin rash or swollen glands. About 1 out of 150 infected people could get extremely ill and die.

Report increased mosquito activity or neglected, green swimming pools and other mosquito-breeding sources, as well as dead birds, to the vector control program by calling 858-694-2888 or emailing vector@sdcounty.ca.gov.