Daytona Beach, FL – Someone in Volusia County has been diagnosed with the West Nile Virus.
The Florida Department of Health in Volusia County issued a mosquito-borne illness alert Wednesday afternoon after confirming the diagnosis.
“There is a heightened concern additional residents will become ill,” said Volusia County Health Department spokeswoman Stefany Strong. “DOH-Volusia continues to advise the public to remain diligent in their personal mosquito protection efforts.”
Health department officials haven’t released any other details at this time on the patient.
Residents are being urged to help stop the spread of West Nile by wearing mosquito repellent or clothing to cover your skin – especially at dawn and at dusk – and dumping all standing water on your property where mosquitoes could breed.
This is the first human case of West Nile in Volusia so far in 2015. Volusia had 4 reported cases last year, including 2 women in their 30’s, a man in his 60’s and a 12-year-old New Smyrna Beach Middle School student.
Prior to last year, no one in Volusia had been diagnosed with West Nile since 2003.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says about 1 in 5 people infected with West Nile virus gets symptoms like fever, headache and body aches, similar to the flu. They also note that most West Nile virus cases are not fatal but that some can be.
Copyright 2015 Southern Stone Communications.