LOS ANGELES, Oct. 3 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. state of California has recorded six fatalities among 63 cases of the mosquito-borne West Nile virus (WNV) this year, according to the latest data of the California Department of Public Health (CDPH).
There were four new WNV positive human cases reported in California last week. In Los Angeles County, four people caught dengue in August and September without traveling outside of the country.
A total of 87 new WNV positive mosquito samples were reported in California last week. There have been 1,835 positive mosquito samples reported in the state so far this year, according to CDPH.
CDPH is encouraging all Californians to reduce the risk of infection and mosquito bites.
WNV is a mosquito-borne virus that causes disease in humans, horses, and birds. WNV spreads to people through the bite of an infected mosquito, and it can make people sick and even cause death.
The best way to prevent WNV is to protect oneself from mosquito bites, according to CDPH.
