The Brief

LOS ANGELES - Los Angeles County health officials have confirmed the first local death of the year attributed to West Nile virus (WNV).

What we know:

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health confirmed the death of a San Fernando Valley resident from a severe neurological illness caused by the West Nile virus.

The county has documented 14 WNV human infections so far this year, which excludes cases reported by the Long Beach and Pasadena health departments.

Of these documented cases, half of the infected residents live in the San Fernando Valley.

The virus is transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito. While many people may not show symptoms, the virus can lead to severe conditions such as meningitis, encephalitis, paralysis, and potentially deat

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