L.A., California has seen a few cases now for West nile virus not as before, as people there have developed immunity against the disease and the experts say this trend would be continuing.
Last year there were totally 935 human cases recorded which included 28 deaths. this year the no. of cases is 68 including one death in Butte County.
In 2004, in Los Angeles, there were 309 human cases which has decreased to 43 last year and even lesser now.
“What’s occurring here now is the same thing that’s occurring in other areas: You have exposed a virus to a naive population and have had a large die-off,â€
“Those who survived are developing antibodies to fight off the virus. It’s Darwin 2006.â€
Dr. Jonathan Fielding, the county’s health officer.
San Bernardino and Orange counties have also reported a dramatic drop in infections. San Bernardino County reported 35 human cases in 2005, down from 197 the previous year. Orange County reported 17 cases in 2005, down from 64 the prior year, and one case so far this year.