The West Nile virus situation seems to be getting worse, as the first case in San Diego county has been reported. In 2007, the first West Nile case for this area was recorded at the end of August.

According to county health officer Dr. Wilma Wooten, the 24-year-old man initially presented symptoms similar to those associated to the flu, and later on developed meningitis and encephalitis.

Although this is only the seventh confirmed infection case in the state, many more are expected to soon turn up. Last year, by the end of the summer, out of the total of 380 infected people, 21 California residents had died because of the mosquito-borne illness.

The virus is acquired by mosquitoes from infected birds; it is then passed on to humans. The time needed for the first signs of illness to appear varies; as it depends on one’s body size and immune system state, it can be anything between three and twelve days.

Symptoms of the infection can consist in fever, chills, headaches, weakness and drowsiness. The problem is that such symptoms are not usually given that much attention. 

The first West Nile virus related problems for California appeared in 2004. Since then, each summer has brought along new infection reports.

Health officials have advised state residents to make sure to cover up and/or spray DEET-containing repellant every time they go outside in the morning or after sundown. Furthermore, in an attempt to control the mosquito population, stagnant waters are being populated with mosquito fish; one such fish can eat up to 500 mosquito larvae a day.