LOS ANGELES (AP) — Los Angeles County health officials say they've confirmed a second death caused by West Nile virus here this year.
Health chief Dr. Jonathan Fielding said in a release Tuesday that both fatalities occurred in elderly adults from southeastern LA County.
West Nile is passed through the bite of an infected mosquito. Mosquitoes become infected by feeding on infected birds.
Fielding urges residents to protect themselves from mosquito bites by getting rid of stagnant water that may have gathered around their homes in flowerpots or birdbaths, where the insects can breed.
To date this year, county health officials say 54 people have been infected with the illness, which is typically mild and has symptoms including fever, headache, nausea and skin rash.
