The elderly woman, whose name was not released, is the eighth confirmed West Nile case in Kern County, and the first death in the state. State Health Department said she died a "sudden" death on Wednesday following complications from the virus.
The authorities are not sure about where in the county the woman was bitten by the infected mosquito. Seven people in Kern County and one in San Joaquin Valley have become ill from West Nile infections so far this year. In 2006, the disease killed seven people across California.
Associated Press reports that West Nile virus has so far been detected in 30 of California's 58 counties. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the disease can cause a fever, rash, headaches, meningitis, encephalitis or death. The most severe cases are found in people with weaker immune systems and the elderly.
