First Probable Human West Nile Virus Case in Pennsylvania This Year

Pennsylvania has its first probable human case of West Nile Virus this year.   An elderly Lebanon County woman was hospitalized in late July with a high fever and neurological symptoms.  Officials say she is currently recovering from what they believe is West Nile Virus.

So far this year, mosquito samples in 54 counties have been identified with the West Nile Virus.

 Severe human infections from the mosquito-borne virus can cause encephalitis or inflammation of the brain along with high fever, headache, neck stiffness, disorientation, tremors, convulsions, paralysis and coma.  There is a milder form of the infection known as West Nile fever that may produce head and body aches, skin rash and swollen glands.  Unusually, the infection does not result in any illness.