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Long Beach confirms first human case of West Nile in California
By Dañiel Andres Martinez at LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio)
· June 27, 2026
· 2 min read
The Culex tarsalis mosquito is one of the most common in Los Angeles County.(Settapongd Dee-ud/Getty Images / iStockphoto)Topline:The first human case of West Nile virus in California this year was detected in Long Beach, according to the city Friday.Details: The person was hospitalized with neur...
Key takeaway Less than 1% of infected patients develop neuroinvasive disease, which typically manifests as meningitis, encephalitis or acute flaccid myelitis, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Why this matters in The Los Angeles
The confirmation of West Nile virus in Long Beach raises concerns for Los Angeles County residents, particularly during the hot summer months when the risk of transmission increases. As the county's mosquito population, including the common Culex tarsalis, becomes more active, residents should take precautions to prevent mosquito bites. The fact that Long Beach has not detected any WNV-positive mosquitoes in the city suggests that the virus may be present in surrounding areas, posing a risk to neighboring communities. Residents can take steps to protect themselves, such as eliminating standing water around their homes and using insect repellent when outdoors. The city's prompt reporting of the case and public health recommendations underscore the need for continued vigilance and cooperation between local health officials and residents to prevent further cases. As the summer wears on, it will be crucial to monitor the situation and adjust public health strategies as needed to mitigate the risk of West Nile virus transmission in Los Angeles County.
About this story
Original reporting by LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio) . The Los Angeles surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 27, 2026 ·
Source: LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio) ·
Reading time: 2 min
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What is this story about? The Culex tarsalis mosquito is one of the most common in Los Angeles County.(Settapongd Dee-ud/Getty Images / iStockphoto)Topline:The first human case of West Nile virus in California this year was detected in Long Beach, according to the city Friday.Details: The person was hospitalized with neur...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 27, 2026 by LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio) and curated for The Los Angeles readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Dañiel Andres Martinez at LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio). To learn more about how The Los Angeles selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Los Angeles, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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