Health Department confirms first human West Nile case in NM in
2012 The New Mexico Department of Health announced a 63-year-old
man from Bernalillo County has been diagnosed with a West Nile
virus infection. He is in the hospital with the more severe
clinical form of West Nile virus, with neurological symptoms
including encephalitis, or swelling of the brain. This is the
first human case of laboratory-confirmed West Nile virus
infection in New Mexico in 2012. The Department reported last
week mosquitoes from Sandoval and Bernalillo counties had tested
positive for West Nile virus this year. “It’s important to
remember that older adults are more susceptible to developing
serious complications from West Nile virus, and they need to be
especially careful to avoid mosquito bites,” said Department of
Health Cabinet Secretary Catherine Torres. Common West Nile
virus symptoms are fever, nausea, headache and muscle aches. If
someone has these symptoms, they should see their health care
provider. In rare cases, West N