1 Dead in Santa Clara County’s 1st Human West Nile Cases of the Year

Santa Clara County reported its first West Nile virus death of the year on Wednesday, coming after mosquitos with the disease were found last month.

Two human cases of West Nile virus have been reported in the county so far in August, including one immunocompromised person who died at a hospital after experiencing symptoms. The other person is recovering at home after being hospitalized, according to a statement from the Department of Public Health.

“The risk of serious illness from West Nile virus is low for most people,” the statement reads. “However, people over 60 years of age and those with certain medical conditions have a higher chance of getting sick and are more likely to develop complications.”

There is no known connection between the two individuals, and the department said it is undetermined if the infections were contracted in the county.

The last West Nile virus death in Santa Clara County was in 2022, a county spokesperson told KQED.

Mosquitoes testing positive for West Nile were reported in parts of San José and unincorporated Santa Clara County on July 19. Since then, the county has found positive mosquitos in 13 zip codes, including in Milpitas.

Santa Clara has completed five treatments to reduce mosquito populations in these areas — most recently on Tuesday night, just hours before the announcement of the human cases. Its next treatment is scheduled for Thursday near the Plato Arroyo neighborhood in northeast San José.

In the East Bay, Contra Costa County reported its first case and death from the virus this year on July 16.

The mosquito-borne disease causes flu-like symptoms in about one in five people it infects. Most people who contract the virus have mild or no symptoms, including fever, headache and body aches, but severe cases can result in neurological effects and death.