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Sandoval County Man Dies From West Nile Virus

Posted on: Sunday, 4 September 2005, 21:00 CDT

The state's first death of the year from West Nile virus -- an older man from Sandoval County -- was announced Friday by the state Department of Health.

Four other cases were identified, giving a total of 14 human cases reported in New Mexico so far this year.

Extending sympathy to the dead man's family, Health Secretary Michelle Lujan Grisham added, "It's important to remember that older adults are more susceptible to developing serious complications from West Nile, and they need to be especially careful to avoid mosquito bites."

The virus is transmitted through those bites. Many infected people never develop symptoms, but some can get fever, nausea, headache and muscle aches and other flu-like symptoms. Fewer than 1 percent see the infection invade their brain or the membrane surrounding the brain, which can cause death.

Of the four additional cases reported in survivors, two men from Doa Ana County and one man from Sandoval County had the severe form of the disease, while an older woman from Sandoval County had the milder West Nile fever.

Nationally, 689 human cases and 16 deaths from West Nile have been reported.

Last year, New Mexico had 88 cases and four deaths, with 209 cases and four deaths in 2003.

So far this year, Sandoval and Doa Ana counties are tied with the most cases (four), but the virus has been detected throughout the state.

Source: Albuquerque Journal

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