County’s first human case of West Nile virus reported

The first human case of West Nile virus has been confirmed by Pinal County Public Health officials. The infected person is a woman in her 30s from the northern Florence area.

She is reportedly only experiencing mild symptoms and her prognosis is good.

Although this is the only confirmed case in Pinal County so far, “many more cases are likely occurring since most people who are exposed experience no symptoms or very mild symptoms” and don’t seek medical attention, said Tom Schryer, director of Pinal County Public Health.

Surveillance throughout the county has detected infected mosquitoes in Maricopa, San Tan Valley, Arizona City, Florence (in the Magic Ranch area) and Coolidge.

Doctors usually only test for the virus when the presented symptoms are severe.

About 80 percent of people will present no symptoms at all, according to the public health department.

Often, the milder manifestation of the disease, which occurs in up 20 percent of infected people and includes symptoms ranging from fever, headache, nausea and vomiting to a rash on the chest, stomach and back are mistaken for something else. 

The severe symptoms, which show up far more rarely at a rate of about one in every 150 people, can include a high fever, stiff neck, stupor, disorientation and even convulsions, tremors, vision loss, muscle weakness, numbness and paralysis and ultimately result in permanent neurological damage. 

There have been seven statewide cases of West Nile virus this year, with six cases occurring in Maricopa County where the one virus-related death for this year has occurred, and one in Pinal County.

Public health officials urge people to take simple preventative measures to avoid being bitten by carrier mosquitoes. These include: avoiding being outside between dusk and dawn; if outside during those times, wear lightweight clothing that covers arms and legs; and use insect repellent.

The repellent should contain an EPA-registered active ingredient such as DEET, Picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus.