MOBILE COUNTY, Ala. (WPMI) — A case of human West Nile Virus (WNV), which is a form of mosquito-borne encephalitis, has been confirmed in Mobile County, according to Dr. Kevin Michaels, Health Officer for Mobile County. This is the second human case reported in Mobile County this year. Because of patient privacy rights under the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), no additional identifying information will be available.
Humans with WNV and other mosquito-borne diseases often have symptoms of high fever, severe headache, nausea, stiff neck, confusion, muscle weakness, paralysis, disorientation, and seizures that are severe enough to require medical attention. In rare cases, WNV can cause coma or death. The seriousness of an illness may depend on a person’s health and age.
The risk of encephalitis spread by mosquitoes is highest from August through the first freeze in the fall. Vector…