News Headlines

Va. Reports 2 Human West Nile Cases, 1st of 2012

Posted: 8:08 AM Aug 17, 2012
Reporter: Associated Press

(Information in the following story is from: Richmond Times-Dispatch, http://www.timesdispatch.com)

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) -- Virginia has recorded its first two human West Nile virus cases of 2012.

One case was in southwest Virginia and the other was in the northwestern region.

Dr. Laurie Forlano with the Virginia Department of Health tells the Richmond Times-Dispatch that both people infected with the virus are adults. They have recovered.

Most people infected with the mosquito-borne virus won't get sick. But about one in 150 people will develop the severe form of the illness. Symptoms include headache, high fever, neck stiffness, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness and paralysis.

Forlano says there typically are one to five human West Nile cases in Virginia a year.

Last year, there were nine human West Nile cases in the state, including one death.