Calaveras County Confirms First Human Case Of West Nile Infection

San Andreas, CA — Health officials in Calaveras County have confirmed the county´s first case of West Nile virus infection in a human.

The public health department says the 53-year-old Valley Springs resident has been hospitalized after becoming ill on August 13th.

County Health Officer Dean Kelaita is urging residents to take the West Nile threat seriously and protect themselves from the risk of infection.

Officials say that while nearly 80% of those who become infected will not show any symptoms, people over age 50 and those with weakened immune systems may experience damage to the brain and spinal cord or death.

Kelaita says symptoms of infection may include fever lasting several days, head and muscle aches, as well as nausea and vomiting.

He says symptoms usually take between two and 15 days to develop after infection.