West Nile found in Walton County

There has been a case of West Nile virus found in North Florida – in Walton County.

It was found in an adult female – it’s the first West Nile case in Florida this year.

West Nile has also been detected in 38 other states this year.

West Nile virus is carried by mosquitoes and health officials are warning Floridians to protect themselves with insect repellant, particularly at dusk and dawn when mosquitoes feed most actively.

About 80 percent of people with West Nile virus infections have no symptoms at all.

Most others experience a mild illness with conditions like headache, fever, pain and fatigue usually appearing between two and 14 days after the bite of an infected mosquito.

In some cases, however, the virus can cause a fatal swelling of the brain.

People over the age of 50 and those with weakened immune systems seem to be at increased risk for severe disease.

The health department monitors the state for a number of mosquito-borne illnesses, including West Nile virus infections, Eastern Equine Encephalitis, St. Louis encephalitis, Malaria and Dengue.

You can help by reporting any dead birds to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission website atwww.myfwc.com/bird.

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