SAN BERNARDINO--A 48-year-old Rialto man is the Inland Empire’s first fatal victim this year of West Nile virus.

County health officials announced the death Friday and said the man had pre-existing medical conditions.

Two persons died last month in Orange County.

San Bernardino County reports five human cases of the virus so far this year compared to 23 in Riverside County and 34 in Los Angeles County.

Vector control officials have ramped up insecticide fogging in known areas where virus-carrying mosquitoes are known to breed in large numbers. That has included several neighborhoods in Moreno Valley, Murrieta and Temecula.

To prevent further cases of WNV, the Department of Public Health encourages people to follow these precautions:

DAWN AND DUSK – Mosquitoes that carry WNV bite in the early morning and evening so it is important to wear repellent at this time. Make sure your doors and windows have tight-fitting screens to keep out mosquitoes. Repair or replace screens that are torn or have holes.

DEET – Apply insect repellant containing DEET, picaradin, Oil of lemon eucalyptus or IR 3535 according to label instructions. Repellents keep the mosquitoes from biting you. DEET can be used safely on infants and children 2 months of age and older.

DRESS – Wear clothing that reduces the risk of skin exposure. When outdoors, wear long pants and long-sleeved shirts.

DRAIN – Mosquitoes lay their eggs on standing water. Remove all sources of standing water on your property, including flower pots, old car tires, rain gutters and pet bowls. If you have a pond, use mosquito fish or commercially available products to eliminate mosquito larvae.

Story Date: September 8, 2008