Daniel Clavel, 61, of Anaheim, died after 24 days in intensive care; he tested positive for West Nile virus during his hospitalization. Orange County officials report a record 757 West Nile-positive mosquito samples, 165 in Anaheim, and urge repellent use at dusk and dawn.
Before he was hospitalized, Clavel thought he had the flu or food poisoning, but his symptoms persisted and he developed a rash. His wife, Tracey, found him unconscious; he never regained consciousness, she told ABC 7.
Symptoms can appear 2–14 days after a bite, though about 80% of infected people develop none. Severe cases can affect the central nervous system, and approximately 10% of people with severe cases die. No preventive vaccine or treatment options are currently available.
