The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health announced the first human cases of West Nile virus in a resident on Wednesday.

They said that four people were hospitalized with the virus between late July and August, in a news release . The patients lived in central Los Angeles and the Antelope and San Fernando valleys, officials said.

"The first human cases of West Nile virus are an important reminder that we all need to take steps to prevent mosquito bites and mosquito breeding," said Los Angeles County Health Officer Dr. Muntu Davis. "Mosquitos thrive in hot weather, increasing the risk of bites and mosquito-borne disease."

West Nile virus spreads through the bite of an infected mosquito, LADPH officials said. Typical symptoms include fever, headache, nausea, body aches and a mi

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