West Nile death reported

West Nile virus has claimed its first local life this year, with the Butte County Department of Public Health confirming a death from complications of the mosquito-carried infection.

County Public Health confirmed the case last Friday (Sept. 22). As of Tuesday, state officials had attributed four deaths in California to West Nile virus—all in this region—and 100 human cases overall. The other fatalities occurred in Glenn, Yolo and Yuba counties.

The local victim, who was not identified, was between 50 and 70 years old, lived in southern Butte County and exhibited symptoms in mid-August. Visit tinyurl.com/ButteWestNile for detailed information on the disease, its spread and prevention.