New Mexico Announces 2nd West Nile Virus Death
SANTA FE, N.M.- The New Mexico Department of Health announced Wednesday that a 76-year-old man from McKinley County has died from West Nile Virus infection.
Five more individuals have tested positive for West Nile Virus as well. The state has had a total of 27 human cases of West Nile so far this year.
“We sympathize with this man’s family and friends,” said Health Secretary Dr. Alfredo Vigil. “We urge people to take precautions against mosquito bites until the first frost in their area. West Nile Virus is a threat until that time.”
The new cases are a 73-year-old man with West Nile encephalitis from Doa Ana County , a 70-year-old man with West Nile encephalitis and a 55-year-old man with West Nile fever both from San Juan County , and a 66-year-old woman with West Nile fever and a 42-year-old woman with meningitis and encephalitis both from Chaves County . All the patients are recovering, except for the 70-year-old man who is still hospitalized.
The 27 human cases of West Nile Virus for 2007 come from: Dona Ana County (8), San Juan County (5), Bernalillo County (4), Chaves County (3), Grant County (1), Sierra County (1), Roosevelt County (1), Curry County (1), Socorro County (1) Rio Arriba County (1), and McKinley County (1). There has also been West Nile in horses and mosquitoes throughout the state.
Common West Nile symptoms are fever, nausea, headache, and muscle aches. Symptoms may last from a few days to a few weeks. About four out of five people who are infected with West Nile Virus will not show any symptoms at all. In very rare cases, about one in 150, people infected with West Nile Virus will develop severe illness including meningitis or encephalitis.
Severe symptoms may include high fever, severe headache, neck stiffness, muscle weakness, disorientation, tremors, and convulsions. If someone has these symptoms, they should see their health care provider. People older than 50 are at higher risk for severe illness from West Nile Virus.
