1st confirmed death from West Nile Virus in San Bernardino County
ONTARIO, Calif. (KABC) -- A person has died from the West Nile Virus in San Bernardino County, public health officials said Monday.
Fred Villanueva, 71, died on Aug. 6 from the virus. The father of five and grandfather of 19 grandchildren became sick nearly a month ago in what his family initially thought was a bad cold.
They rushed him to the hospital when he could no longer walk straight and started shivering. He went into a coma on his third day in the hospital.
"He woke up a couple days later, but just opened his eyes, still non-responsive. Everything went really fast," his daughter, Rebecca Villanueva, said.
Villanueva's family said he survived life-threatening illnesses, including a bout with Leukemia two years ago. He was in remission at the time of his death.
His family is stunned that he lost his life because of a virus he got from a mosquito.
Villanueva is the first confirmed death in 2015. A total of five cases have been confirmed within the county this year. In 2014, there were eight people confirmed to have the virus, but no one had died.
There are 36 reported cases throughout the state this year, which exceeds the state's five-year average of 23 cases.
The West Nile Virus is transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito. San Bernardino County health officials said there has been an increase in West Nile activity throughout the county. People over the age of 50 are more likely to develop serious complications from the virus.
Health officials are urging residents to take precautions, including:
- Emptying all standing water around the home to reduce areas where mosquitoes may breed such as flower pots and pet bowls.
- Making sure windows and door screens are in good condition
- Using insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or products containing IR3535.
- Limiting outdoor activity at dawn and dusk, when mosquitoes are most active.
- Wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants while outdoors.
