Maryland reports first human case of West Nile virus in 2024
Updated: 2:37 p.m. EDT, August 26, 2024
An adult in the Baltimore area has tested positive, the first human case of West Nile virus in Maryland this year, state health officials said Monday. The patient has recovered from the infection, according to the Maryland Department of Health. Mosquitoes that feed on birds carrying the virus transmit West Nile virus to humans. In rare cases, the virus can spread from person to person through organ donation, blood transfusion, breastfeeding or from a pregnant mother to a fetus. The disease affects the nervous system, and up to 80% of people infected will not show any signs of illness. Some people may experience mild symptoms, such as fever, headache and body aches. Sometimes, they may develop a rash and swollen lymph nodes. Symptoms can last a few days or several weeks. People over the age of 50 or who are immunocompromised can become seriously ill.
A Baltimore-area adult has tested positive, the first human case of West Nile virus this year in Maryland, state health officials said Monday.
According to the Maryland Department of Health, the patient has recovered from the infection.
Mosquitoes that feed on birds carrying the virus transmit West Nile virus to humans. In rare cases, the virus can be transmitted from person to person through organ donation, blood transfusion, breastfeeding, or from pregnant mother to fetus.
The disease affects the nervous system and up to 80% of infected people show no signs of illness.
Some people may experience mild symptoms, such as fever, headache, and body aches. Sometimes they may develop a rash and swollen lymph nodes.
Symptoms can last a few days or several weeks. People over 50 or who are immunocompromised can become seriously ill.
