Brooklyn woman infected with West Nile virus

Sep 10 2007

According to health officials in New York a 41-year-old woman from Brooklyn has become the year's first known human case of the West Nile virus in New York State.

The woman was diagnosed with the insect-borne virus on August 25th but at present it is unclear how she became infected, as she had traveled outside the city for two weeks prior to her diagnosis.

Although inspectors discovered the West Nile virus in 139 mosquito pools in five of the city's boroughs over the summer, this is the first reported human case.

The woman had the typical symptoms of the West Nile virus, such as fever, headache and muscle pain, but was initially diagnosed with viral meningitis in late August.

Later tests revealed that the meningitis was caused by the West Nile virus.

She is now said to be recovering at home.

West Nile virus can be a deadly affair and when it first appeared in the United States in 1999 in the New York City area, seven people died and more than 50 others became ill.

In subsequent years the West Nile virus has spread across the country and there have already been several fatal cases this year.

Most people infected with the virus experience symptoms such as fever, headache, nausea, fatigue, loss of appetite, chills, and diarrhea but some show no symptoms at all.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, rare cases of West Nile cause convulsions, paralysis, vision loss and other serious problems.

New Yorkers in affected areas are being advised to drain standing water, repair window screens, chlorinate pools and use mosquito repellant products; wearing protective garments when outside such as long sleeves and long pants is also advised.