Puncak Musim Mosquito, Kematian Pertama Virus West Nile Dikonfirmasi Di LA County

Photo illustration. (Doc. Pixels)

JAKARTA - Los Angeles County (LA) Department of Public Health, United States (US) on Friday, October 24, confirmed the first death to be recorded as a result of this year's West Nile (WNV) Virus.

The victim, whose identity was kept secret, died after being hospitalized in the San Fernando Valley due to a neurological illness caused by the virus transmitted through the mosquito.

Confirmation of this death adds to the list of cases of WNV infection in LA County which has reached 14 cases throughout 2025, with half of the total cases (7 cases) located in the San Fernando Valley. October itself is the peak of the mosquito season in Southern California.

Data from the LA County Department of Health shows that since 2020, there have been an average of 58 cases of WNV infection and one death case per year in the region.

Drought Increases Contagious Risks

Launching the Los Angeles Times, Saturday, October 25, authorities are increasing vigilance, especially given climate conditions in the San Fernando Valley. A study of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in 2025 shows a correlation between drought conditions and an increased risk of WNV.

The study found that although the condition of drought and rainfall below average (as experienced by the San Fernando Valley) can reduce the population of mosquitoes as a whole, it actually concentrates mosquitoes and infected birds around limited water sources. This concentration results in a faster transmission rate among smaller populations, which then infects humans.

Symptoms and Prevention

According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), WNV affects about 2,000 Americans every year. Most cases show mild symptoms such as fever, headache, body aches, vomiting, or diarrhea. However, more severe cases can cause neck stiffness, confusion, tremors, muscle weakness, loss of sight, paralysis, and even cause permanent damage or death.

To prevent transmission, the CDC recommends residents to reduce outdoor activity during the day (at the most active mosquito time), vacate or replace inundated water containers, install window filters, and use insect offenders or protective clothing when outside the home.