Vermont’s Second Human West Nile Virus Case Confirmed, Department Of Health Warns Residents

Vermont's second case of human West Nile virus of this summer has been confirmed by the Department of Health, both of which occurred in Windsor County. The Department of Health's infectious disease epidemiologist, Bradley Tompkins, said that the two Windsor County cases were not related.

Both patients developed the serious form of West Nile virus, the neuroinvasive West Nile virus disease, but both of them are recovering according to Tompkins, Washington Times reported. The neuroinvasive human West Nile cases in Vermont were confirmed by a test of the cerebrospinal fluid, he added.

Tompkins said that the two cases both contracted their cases in Windsor County in Vermont since they told investigators they did not leave the county during the possible incubation period. However, the Department of Health will not identify the town, the individual and the sex or age of the person involved in order to protect their privacy.

Only about 20 percent of the people who are infected become ill, Tompson declared. However, anyone in Vermont is at risk for acquiring the West Nile virus while the elderly and people with compromised immune systems are particularly vulnerable.

Tompkins urged the people of Vermont to take precautions and avoid getting mosquito bites by limiting time outside when mosquitoes are particularly active. He also advised to wear long sleeves and long pants outdoors when mosquitoes are biting. Residents should also make sure that window screens are intact and the use strong insect repellents is suggested, WPTZ reported.

The first human West Nile virus case was confirmed back in 2003 according to the information from the Department of Health while the last one was in 2013. There have been nine human cases in total since then. Vermont's second case of human West Nile virus was just recently confirmed after another Windsor County resident was hospitalized. The first case was reported in July 1.