West Nile suspected in St. Louis man's death

ST. LOUIS -- An elderly St. Louis man who died earlier this month had the West Nile virus, marking the first probable death from the virus in Missouri this year, city health officials said Friday.

While the city is awaiting final confirmation from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, health officials said their tests showed the man, in his late 80s or early 90s, was infected with West Nile. He had other health complications, said Larry Kettelhut, St. Louis' chief of environmental health services.

Officials also said a woman in her mid-20s in St. Louis likely has the virus. She has been hospitalized, but is recovering and should be released shortly, Kettelhut said.

A 53-year-old west St. Louis County man is also suspected of having West Nile virus, according to the county health department. He is recovering at home, said Mike Williams, the county's manager of communicable disease control.

The first confirmed case of West Nile in the state this year was a 6-year-old Putnam County girl, who showed symptoms in July. Health officials said the girl is recovering.

Last year there were 168 confirmed human West Nile virus cases in Missouri. Of those, 116 were either in St. Louis County or the city of St. Louis. Seven people in the state died from the disease.

Mosquitoes transfer the virus to humans and horses after biting infected birds. It cannot be transmitted from person to person or from birds to people. In extreme cases, the virus can cause brain inflammation. More routine symptoms include fever, headaches and body aches that generally last for a few days.

Last year, 4,156 human cases of West Nile virus were reported in 44 states.

To reduce the chance of mosquito bites, people are encouraged to get rid of old tires, containers and debris that can hold water and provide breeding grounds for mosquitoes. People also are encouraged to wear insect repellent containing the chemical DEET, especially during high activity times for mosquitoes such as dawn and dusk.

On the Net

West Nile virus: www.dhss.state.mo.us/WestNileVirus/index.html

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/arbor