Community Corner
Two Human West Nile Cases in Desert
One case in Rancho Mirage, another in Mecca, mark first human cases in desert in 2012.
This story was last updated at 11:20 p.m.
Two human cases of West Nile virus in the Coachella Valley were reported today by the vector control district.
One case is in Mecca and the other in Rancho Mirage, according to the
Coachella Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District, which woqld only say that one case was a 74-year-old male, the other a 22-year-old female.
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West Nile is transmitted to humans and animals by the bite of an
infected mosquito. The risk of serious illness to most people is low -- less
than 1 percent of people infected can develop a neurologic illness such as
encephalitis or meningitis, according to the vector control district.
To report mosquito problems, including neglected pools or standing
water, call (760) 342-8287.