Health Department Confirms First Human Death Attributed to West Nile Virus

The State Health Department says it is not investigating any additional cases of West Nile Virus, although it has confirmed the first death linked to the disease this year. It was reported by the Adair County Health Department in Kirksville. The elderly man’s name has not been released. It’s been a couple of weeks since the first mosquitoes with the virus were identified in Missouri and a week or so since the first dead bird with it was found. Doctor Howard Pue at the State Health Department says people need to take standard anti-mosquito precautions. He says there’s also a new product on the market with Precaridin in it. He says it’s been used in Europe and has just been recently cleared for use here.