Elderly Man Becomes Second Oklahoma West Nile Fatality

Monday, August 27th 2007, 10:17 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ A Sequoyah County man is the second person to die of West Nile virus in Oklahoma this year. Laurence Burnsed with the state Health Department says the man was in his 80s. The first victim was an 85-year-old Miami man.

The disease is spread by mosquitoes and has infected 18 people in the state this year. Last year there were 48 confirmed cases of West Nile and six deaths.

Health officials advise people to use mosquito-repellent with DEET and to be particularly careful at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active. The department also advises residents to eliminate standing water where mosquitoes can breed.

Symptoms of West Nile include fever, headache, muscle weakness, a stiff neck and disorientation. Doctors can provide supportive therapy but there is no cure for the virus.

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