Arkansas News Bureau

LITTLE ROCK — Three cases of human West Nile virus have been confirmed in Arkansas in the past week, the state Department of Health reported today.

Each of the cases, the first of the year in Arkansas, were reported in the southern part of the state, but the Department of Health declined to provide further information because of federal privacy concerns.

Six cases of the mosquito-borne virus were reported in the state last year and one fatality. Nine cases were reported in 2008 with no fatalities.

Dr. James Phillips, chief of the infectious disease branch at the Department of Health, said West Nile is not uncommon this time of year, in fact, “we have had the greatest number of cases in the months of August and September in the last few years.”

West Nile virus is transmitted by infected mosquitoes to humans, horses and other animals after feeding on diseased birds.

Symptoms of the infection in humans consist of fever, muscle and joint aches, listlessness, and headaches in severe cases that may indicate encephalitis.
Symptoms usually begin within 14 days of an insect bite.

The department urged Arkansans to avoid being outside at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active, to wear long-sleeved clothing and use insect repellent.