West Nile death

This year's first fatal case of West Nile virus (WNV) in Butte County was recently confirmed by health officials.

The victim, a senior citizen, became ill in late August and in September the infection was diagnosed as WNV neuroinvasive disease, the most serious form of WNV, according to a Butte County Public Health press release. WNV is transmitted to humans and animals by mosquito bites and can be fatal; symptoms include fever, headache, fatigue, muscle pain and nausea.

As of Sept. 23, the county has recorded 45 cases of WNV—nearly half of which have occurred in people ages 5 to 49, though people over 50 years old are at greater risk of infection. WNV season typically lasts through October.