Health officials confirmed that a Merced man tested positive for the West Nile virus. The man was not identified by county officials. His case brings the total number of sickened Central Valley residents to six.

So far in the state, 190 people have been infected with West Nile. Health officials says that number has risen nearly 12 percent in California since last week. There were 169 cases of the mosquito-borne virus reported Friday statewide by the department. Five people in the state have died from the virus. But, for most people, the virus brings slight flu-like symptoms that may go unnoticed.