East Valley woman dies of West Nile

Victim is area’s first fatality of the season

Health officials have confirmed the first death related to West Nile virus in the Valley this year.

The Maricopa County Department of Public Health reported that an elderly woman in the East Valley had suffered from the viral infection spread by mosquitoes, as well as other health issues. The department did not release her name, age or exact residence.

Six other cases of severe West Nile virus infections had been reported in Maricopa County this year, according to health-department records. Those six people suffered from severe meningitis or encephalitis because of the infection, health-department spokeswoman Jeanene Fowler said.

“(The season is) usually as long as it is hot, because mosquitoes like to breed in hot weather,” Fowler said. The West Nile virus season usually ends in October, when temperatures begin to fall.

County-ordered mosquito fogging was conducted Wednesday morning along streets in Aguila, Glendale and Surprise, according to the Maricopa County Environmental Services Department.

Johnny Dilone, of the Environmental Services Department, said residents can request that potential mosquito breeding grounds be checked by the county to assess whether fogging is needed.

Infected mosquitoes carry the virus and pass it to humans. West Nile virus symptoms include fever, headache, body aches, nausea and vomiting.

To reduce exposure to mosquitoes, experts advise that people remove standing water around homes, wear insect repellent and use window screens.

The Department of Public Health said fewer than 1 percent of those infected with the virus will experience severe symptoms such as meningitis or paralysis. Approximately 20 percent will feel flulike symptoms.

In 2012, there were 88 lab-confirmed cases of West Nile virus infections and four reported deaths in Maricopa County, according to department records. Twelve people died of the virus in 2010, the second-deadliest season on record.

The worst-recorded season of West Nile virus was in 2004.