Roseville man is first West Nile virus death in Placer County this season
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- Placer County reports first West Nile death of 2025; California total now five.
- State records show 61 confirmed cases in 2025; 54 symptomatic, below five-year average.
- Officials urge Dump, Drain, Defend, offer vector control help and bird reporting numbers.
Placer County health officials announced Monday that a Roseville man has died of West Nile virus, the first death in that area from the mosquito-borne disease and the fifth in California.
Butte, Fresno, Kings and Tulare counties each reported one death earlier this year, according to state health officials. About one in five people infected with West Nile virus will have the symptoms, including fever, headache, body aches and nausea.
There have been 61 confirmed cases so far this year, 54 of them resulting in symptomatic cases, according to state records. That’s well below the five-year average of 105.6.
“When there is a higher than normal proportion of West Nile virus infected mosquitoes as there has been this year, despite our efforts to reduce these populations, the risk of disease transmission to people also gets higher,” said Joel Buettner, general manager of the Placer Mosquito and Vector Control District. “We extend our deepest condolences to the loved ones of the individual.”
While there is no cure for West Nile virus, health officials said, supportive care in hospitals can help people afflicted with severe neuroinvasive symptoms. Older adults and people with compromised immune systems are most at risk of dying..
Experts also urge residents to employ a “Dump, Drain, Defend” strategy to curb the spread of the illness: Dump and drain standing water where mosquitos can breed. Defend against mosquito bites with EPA-registered repellants such as DEET or picaridin.
Need help controlling mosquito populations? Local vector control districts offer consultation and some resources at no cost. In Placer County, call 916-380-5444. Residents of Sacramento and Yolo counties can contact their vector control district at 800-429-1022 or fightthebite.net.
One of the harbingers of a West Nile Virus problem are the occurrence of dead or sick birds, so vector control officials urge residents to report them at westnile.ca.gov or by calling 877-968-2473.
