JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- The Duval County Health Department has confirmed five new cases of the West Nile Virus, bringing the total to 20 cases.
The most recent cases involve a 56-year-old male, two 55-year-old males and 61-year-old and 71-year-old females.
These five patients bring Duval County's mosquito-borne illness total to 20 cases.
About 1 in 150 people infected with WNV will develop severe illness. Symptoms can include high fever, headache, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, vision loss, numbness and paralysis.
Symptoms can last for several weeks and neurological effects may be permanent.
The DCHD continues to ask the public to "drain and cover" as a means to fight West Nile. You should drain standing water to stop mosquitoes from multiplying and cover your skin with clothing an repellent.
For more information about airborne illnesses, you can go to www.doh.state.fl.us/environment.
