Public health officials from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services are encouraging residents and visitors to take precautions to prevent mosquito-borne illness following recent cases of West Nile virus in several parts of the state.
The four reported human cases of West Nile Virus are double the average number of cases at this point in the year.
About 20% of infected people will develop a fever with other symptoms such as headache, body aches, joint pains, vomiting, diarrhea or rash. In about 1% of infections, WNV causes serious conditions, including encephalitis & meningitis, leading to death in some cases.
NCDHHS recommends the taking precautions including using insect repellents.
West Nile Virus is one of several potentially dangerous mosquito-borne illnesses in North Carolina.
Others include eastern equine encephalitis virus and La Crosse virus.
