City confirms first human case of West Nile virus this year



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NEW YORK CITY, NY – The first human case of West Nile virus has been confirmed in a man from Manhattan, the oldest in a year, it has been found in a person since the city began to follow him in 1999, the Ministry of Health announced Friday.

Typically, the first confirmed human case of the virus occurs between July and October, but the man was hospitalized for brain inflammation caused by West Nile earlier this month, officials said. The patient, who is over 50 years old, has since been released.

Aside from the first human case, the Department of Health also confirmed that it found the first batch of mosquitoes carrying the disease in the city this year

. "The results of our surveillance of mosquitoes and West Nile virus remind us that the mosquito season is here and all New Yorkers must take precautions to protect themselves and their families from mosquito bites." The Ministry of Health said in a statement

that the city began spraying larvicides in locations in Queens, Brooklyn and Staten Island to reduce mosquito populations

. the city in 1999 and 259 people have contracted diseases of it since, with 38 people dying, according to the Ministry of Health.

Generally, the city sees between three and 47 human cases a year and between 40 and 827 mosquitoes carrying the virus.

West Nile infection can cause flu-like symptoms in people 50 years and older. the most risk, said the Ministry of Health.

While 80% of those infected have no symptoms, headaches, fevers, muscle aches and extreme fatigue are the most common. Severe cases can result in changes in mental status, muscle weakness and potentially fatal infections to the brain and spinal cord.

The Department of Health suggests New Yorkers wear insect repellents containing specific ingredients throughout the summer. stagnant water properties, cleaning gutters and protecting windows against windows


Image: Shutterstock

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