JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- The Duval County Health Department says 4 new cases of West Nile Virus illnesses have been confirmed.
This brings the total number of the county's confirmed cases in the 2012 to nine. The health department says the most recent cases involved 46, 60 and 61-year-old men and a 70-year-old woman.
According to the DCHD, about one 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. These symptoms may last several weeks, and neurological effects may be permanent.
The DCHD continues to advise the public to remain diligent in their personal mosquito protection efforts. These should include remembering "drain and cover". This includes draining any standing water from garbage cans and buckets. They also suggest covering yourself. Wear protective clothing such as socks and long pants. Any bare skin should be covered with a repellent containing deet.
Duval County remains under a West Nile warning. For more information on mosquito-borne illnesses, call the DCHD at 904-253-1850.
