Los Angeles County reported its first West Nile virus death of the year, public health officials announced Friday.

A San Fernando Valley resident passed away from neurological illness caused by the virus, according to the LA Department of Public Health.

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“This tragic loss reminds us how dangerous mosquito-borne diseases like West Nile virus and dengue can be,” LA County health officer Muntu Davis said in a statement.

Fourteen West Nile infections have been reported in the region so far this year, not counting Pasadena and Long Beach, according to health officials.

Half of those cases were in the San Fernando Valley, where last year’s first reported West Nile case occurred.

The virus is the most common mosquito-bor

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