West Nile Virus Confirmed In a Lee County Man

The Lee County Health Department (LCHD) announces a 69-year old male from South Ft. Myers (Iona area) has been confirmed to have West Nile Virus (WNV) by the state laboratory. WNV is a mosquito-borne disease that causes mild to severe illness and first reached Florida in 2001.

Lee County Mosquito Control is actively monitoring and spraying the effected area.  People who are concerned about excessive mosquito activity in their neighborhood should contact Lee County Mosquito Control at 694-2174.

Many people that become ill have mild symptoms including headache, fever, dizziness, and fatigue, but severe neurological symptoms are also possible. Although mosquito borne diseases can cause serious illnesses and even death in people of any age, children and those over 50 are at greatest risk for severe disease. Symptoms typically appear between 3 and 14 days after the bite of an infected mosquito.

In Florida, WNV activity has been identified in all 67 counties and peaked in 2003.  There have been a total of 239 cases of WNV in Florida and 6 cases in Lee County since 2001.  In recent years, there has been a decreased level of activity, possibly due to drought-like conditions throughout much of the state. Most WNV infections (approximately 80%) are asymptomatic.

Anyone with symptoms of fever, headache, confusion or stiff neck should contact their physician or emergency department.  Physicians should contact the LCHD if they suspect an individual may have a mosquito-borne illness. DOH laboratories provide testing services for physicians treating patients with clinical signs of mosquito-borne diseases.