The Montgomery County Public Health District confirmed last week the county’s first probable case of West Nile Virus for 2023.
According to the district, the woman is in her 60s and a resident of east Montgomery County.Â
In 2022, the county logged two cases of West Nile Virus.
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West Nile virus can cause serious disease and is commonly spread by infected mosquitoes. People typically develop symptoms between three and 14 days after they are bitten. According to the CDC, approximately 80 percent of people who are infected will not show any symptoms at all, but there is no way to know in advance if someone will develop the illness.
Milder symptoms include fever, headache, body aches, nausea, vomiting and, sometimes, swollen lymph glands or a skin rash on the chest, stomach and back. These symptoms can last up to several weeks. Serious symptoms that account for less than 1 percent of those infected can include high fever, headache, neck stiffness, disorientation, coma, tremors, seizures or paralysis. These symptoms can last for several weeks and neurological effects may be permanent.
According to the CDC, the most effective way to avoid West Nile virus is to prevent mosquito bites. Avoid bites by using insect repellants, wearing protective clothing when outdoors and emptying any standing water.
