Health Officials Report California's First West Nile Death Of 2015

SACRAMENTO (AP) — California health officials say a senior citizen is the state's first person to have died from the West Nile virus this year.

The state Department of Public Health said Monday the 65-year-old woman died in Nevada County. It offered no other details.

Thirty-three California counties have reported West Nile virus activity this year, four more than this time last year.

Health officials say 31 people died from the virus in California last year.

The West Nile virus is transmitted to humans and animals by the bite of an infected mosquito. The symptoms range from mild and flu-like to severe neurological issues.

People 50 years of age and older have a higher chance of getting sick and are more likely to develop complications.

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