3 Missouri residents die of complications of West Nile virus

3 Missouri residents die of complications of West Nile virus

ST. LOUIS -- The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services says two St. Louis-area residents recently died of complications from West Nile virus.

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports a 76-year-old man from St. Louis and a 92-year-old woman from St. Louis County contracted the disease last month. A 61-year-old Pettis County man also died after contracting the virus.

State officials say 13 cases of the virus have been reported in Missouri, including six in St. Louis County and three in St. Louis.

A 78-year-old St. Louis County woman remains hospitalized with respiratory complications from West Nile after she contracted it last month.

The virus can cause flulike symptoms in about 20 percent of people who catch it.