BALTIMORE, MD—The West Nile virus has been detected in an adult living in the Baltimore area. This is the first confirmed human case of the virus in Maryland this year.

The Maryland Department of Health says the patient has already recovered from the infection.

West Nile Virus is transmitted to people by mosquitoes that have been infected by feeding on sick birds. The virus can also be spread from one person to another through organ donation, blood transfusion, breastfeeding, or from a pregnant mother to the fetus.

The virus usually affects the nervous system. Up to 80% of people infected with West Nile do not have any symptoms. However, those with underlying conditions can become seriously ill.

“We are in the season when the West Nile virus can spread in Maryland,” said Deputy Secretary for Public Health Services Dr. Nilesh Kalyanaraman. “We urge people to be vigilant and take steps to avoid infection and eliminate standing pools of water where mosquitoes can breed.”

West Nile virus was first detected in the United States in 1999. The number of Maryland residents infected with the virus can vary each year. In 2023, there were seven confirmed cases of West Nile virus in the state.

To help prevent mosquito bites, the health department recommends that people cover up exposed skin and use insect repellent. Residents are also urged to check their yards for areas of high mosquito activity, such as standing water and clogged rain gutters.

For more information on West Nile virus, visit the Center for Zoonotic and Vectorborne Diseases website.

This article was written with the assistance of AI and reviewed by a human editor.

Photo by Jimmy Chan from Pexels