North Carolina’s first case of the West Nile virus this year was announced July 30 by the state’s Department of Health and Human Services. The virus was confirmed in a Durham County resident, marking the first case in the county since 2022.
West Nile virus is primarily transmitted to humans through mosquito bites and, while the majority of individuals remain asymptomatic or have very mild symptoms, some can face serious, life-altering effects or even death.
According to James Saltar, Durham County environmental health director, a “bad case” of West Nile virus could cause lethargy and prompt symptoms like an upset stomach, fever, headaches and confusion. The elderly population and those who are immunocompromised are at the highest risk, but even someone “in perfectly good health” could become very ill…