Death from West Nile virus reported in central NY - NEWS10 ABC: Albany, New York News, Weather, Sports

SYRACUSE, N.Y. (AP) - Health officials in central New York are reporting the death of a person from infection with the West Nile virus.

They say the death is the first this year in Onondaga County. The patient was as older person, but no other information is being released.

The mosquito-borne virus is generally not deadly and many of those infected never develop symptoms. But it can cause serious illness in the very young, old and people with compromised immune systems. The symptoms include fever, headaches and stiffness.

A case in the county earlier in August resulted in an adult being briefly hospitalized but expected to fully recover.

The state health department said testing has found the virus in hundreds of mosquito pools around the state this year. There have been five reported illnesses.

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