BUENA PARK--The first death in California from West Nile virus was reported Monday in Orange County.

The 72-year-old Buena Park woman suffered from complications from the virus.

So far this year, 96 people have become ill with virus infections in 13 counties. That includes 19 in Riverside County and two in San Bernardino County. Thousands of birds have died across the state.

Last year at this time, 148 Californians had come down with West Nile virus. Nine people had died.

Story Date: August 28, 2008