The year's first human case of West Nile virus in Minnesota has
been confirmed by state health officials. A St. Louis County man
became ill with West Nile encephalitis and meningitis in late
May after traveling to south-central Minnesota. He was
hospitalized and is recovering. Most people bitten by infected
mosquitoes develop West Nile fever, the less severe form of
disease, or fight off the virus without any symptoms. But about
1 out of 150 people bitten by West Nile-infected mosquitoes will
develop central nervous system disease (encephalitis or
meningitis). Approximately 10 percent of people with this severe
form of infection die from their illness, and many survivors
suffer from long-term nervous system problems. "Sporadic early-
season cases can occur, such as this first 2012 case," said
David Neitzel, a Minnesota Department of Health epidemiologist
"However, the species of mosquito that transmits the virus to
humans is most abundant in July and August. Anyone not already
using repellents should begin doi