San Diego man, 78, is first to die of West Nile virus in seven years

SAN DIEGO - A 78-year-old La Mesa man who died two weeks ago was the first person in the region to die of West Nile virus in seven years, the San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency announced today.

The man, whose name was not provided, was admitted to a local hospital Oct. 6 after experiencing symptoms of encephalitis, an inflammation of the brain that can be caused by viral or bacterial infection, according to the HHSA.

The man died four days later and subsequent testing in a state laboratory confirmed he contracted West Nile virus.

The man's daughter told 10News Thursday that doct...