West Nile Virus Case Confirmed

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- The Oklahoma City-County Health Department is reporting the first confirmed case of West Nile virus in Oklahoma this year. The victim's name and location were not released but

Thursday, July 19th 2007, 2:05 pm

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- The Oklahoma City-County Health Department is reporting the first confirmed case of West Nile virus in Oklahoma this year. The victim's name and location were not released but department spokesman HR Holman says the case is in Oklahoma County.

The virus is spread by mosquitoes and symptoms include headache, stiff neck, weakness and a high fever and it can be deadly.

There were 48 confirmed human cases of West Nile statewide last year with six deaths.

Health officials say residents can protect themselves by limiting outdoor activity during the early morning and evening hours when mosquitoes are most active.

Residents should use an insect repellant containing DEET and eliminate all standing water. Holman says hardware stores also have larvacide pellets which can be put into standing water and will prevent the larva from becoming adult mosquitoes.