West Nile virus blamed for 2 more state deaths

SACRAMENTO — Two more Californians have died of complications associated with West Nile virus, bringing to four the number of people killed by the virus in the state this year, health officials said Tuesday.

The latest victims were an elderly man in San Joaquin County and an elderly woman in Colusa County, said Mark Horton, director of the Sacramento County Department of Public Health.

The first fatalities of 2007 were an elderly man and woman in Kern County.

Fifty-two more Californians have become ill after being exposed to the virus, which is transmitted by mosquitoes.

Most people who contract the virus develop no symptoms. People who are 50 or older and those with diabetes or high blood pressure have the greatest risk of becoming seriously ill.