County confirms death from West Nile virus
BOMBAY BEACH — A 74-year-old resident here who died on July 4 is the state’s first confirmed death from West Nile virus this year.
Robert Mears died at UCSD Medical Center in San Diego after first being admitted to Pioneers Memorial Hospital on June 27, his daughter, Doree Grindell, told Imperial Valley Press.
Grindell, who also is a nurse at UCSD, said her father, aside from having a kidney removed many years ago, had been in good health until he first started feeling ill around June 12.
“He thought he was coming down with a really bad cold,” she said.
His symptoms grew progressively worse until June 26, when he returned home from taking a friend to physical therapy, laid down to take a nap and didn’t wake up for 20 hours. When he did wake up the next day, he couldn’t walk, Grindell said.
The Escondido resident said her father was admitted to PMH and later transferred to Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs before finally being moved to UCSD on July 3.
She said doctors at one point were treating her father for Guillain-Barré syndrome, a rare autoimmune disease that attacks the peripheral nervous system, causing some symptoms similar to those Mears experienced. It wasn’t until after he was admitted to UCSD, Grindell said, that his condition was correctly diagnosed.
“By that time, it was too late,” she said.
Based on statistics posted on the California West Nile Virus Website (www.westnile.cal.gov), it is the first confirmed human case of the disease in the state in 2019.
The Imperial County Public Health Department confirmed the death of an unnamed Imperial County resident of the disease in a news release issued Tuesday.
The county described him as “an elderly male that had a history of health complications,” a claim that contradicts Grindell’s assessment of her father’s health before contracting the disease.
At this point, the county says it is unknown where Mears, who retired to Bombay Beach about five years ago, contracted the disease.
“It is unknown where the individual was infected due to a history of recent travel to different areas in southern California,” the county said.
The release noted that family members had said the individual did not use insect repellent when spending time outdoors and had reported mosquito bites.
“The Public Health Department’s Vector Control Program has conducted mosquito trapping in the area where the individual resided; however, despite trapping efforts, mosquito pools that can be tested have not been detected,” the county said in its release. “For that reason, officials are not able to confirm where the resident was infected. Trapping efforts will continue in the area.”
Grindell said the only other place her father had been prior to getting sick was the San Bernardino area.
“Our hearts go out to the family and friends of the resident that passed away as result of complications with WNV. This local death serves as a reminder to our community of the importance of taking precautions against mosquito bites,” said Stephen Munday, M.D., health officer for Imperial County. “Mosquitoes are typically active in Imperial County this time of year. We urge everyone to take simple steps to eliminate mosquito breeding sources around their homes to protect themselves, their loved ones and communities.”
West Nile virus is transmitted to humans and animals through a mosquito bite. Mosquitoes become infected when they feed on infected birds. Human-to-human transmission of WNV generally does not occur absent a blood transfusion or tissue donation from an infectious donor.
Severe symptoms of WNV include fever, nausea, vomiting and seizures. Most individuals who are infected with WNV will not experience any illness. Others will have only mild symptoms, such as fever, headache and body aches. However, WNV can be severe in the elderly and individuals with lowered, compromised immune systems.
The county said individuals can reduce their risk of mosquito-borne diseases by taking the following precautions:
• Limit time outdoors during dawn and early evening.
• When outdoors, wear loose-fitting, light-colored, longsleeve shirts and pants when mosquitoes are most active (during dusk and dawn).
• Apply insect repellent that contains DEET, Picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus according to label instructions to prevent mosquito bites.
• Make sure that doors and windows have tight-fitting screens. Repair or replace screens that have tears or holes.
• Eliminate all sources of standing water on property that can support mosquito breeding by:
1. Draining or eliminating, old tires, buckets, plastic covers, toys, or any other container where mosquitoes can breed.
2. Empting and changing the water in bird baths, fountains, wading pools, rain barrels, and potted plant trays at least once a week to destroy potential mosquito habitats.
3. Draining or filling temporary pools of water with dirt.
4. Keeping swimming water treated and circulating.
• Contact Vector Control if there is a significant mosquito problem where you live or work.
“It is important for all residents to know that they need to take precautions to prevent mosquito bites no matter where they reside in Imperial County,” said Jeff Lamoure, deputy director of Environmental Health.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has a useful search tool that the public can use to find the repellent products most appropriate for them and their families. The tool is available at https:// www.epa.gov/insect-repellents/find-repellentright-you
For general information about West Nile virus or to report a problem with mosquitoes in Imperial County please contact Environmental Health at (442) 2651888.
Funeral arrangements for Mears are still pending, as his daughter continues to navigate her grief.
“Right now, I’m getting by on vodka and Klonopin,” she said.