Eight new cases of West Nile virus in Oklahoma

(Oklahoma City-AP) -- The state Health Department says eight new human cases of West Nile virus have been confirmed, including one in an 11-year-old boy.<br><br>The state now has eleven confirmed cases

Thursday, August 21st 2003, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

(Oklahoma City-AP) -- The state Health Department says eight new human cases of West Nile virus have been confirmed, including one in an 11-year-old boy.

The state now has eleven confirmed cases of the potentially deadly virus this year, but no human deaths.

Assistant state epidemiologist Doctor Kristy Bradley says more of the cases appear to be West Nile Fever, a milder form of the virus.

Those infected range from an 11-year-old in Beckham County to a 71-year-old Washita County man. Seven of the new cases are in northwestern Oklahoma and the Panhandle, including two in Texas County and one each in Beckham, Washita, Woodward, Ellis and Beaver counties.

The eighth new case is in Tulsa County.

The previous three confirmed cases in the state are in Tulsa, Beaver and Okmulgee counties.