A Kalamazoo resident was diagnosed with West Nile Virus on Monday, September 19, the first case of this disease in Kalamazoo County in 2016.

The Kalamazoo County Health and Community Services Department says that West Nile Virus, which is transmitted by mosquitoes, only shows symptoms in around 20% of those infected.

The most common symptoms are a fever with headache, body aches, vomiting or rash, and people with this infection typically fully recover.  However, less than 1% of people infected may develop a neurological illness like meningitis, with some problems being permanent.

The health office says that the best way to avoid West Nile Virus is to avoid mosquitoes; by wearing long clothing when outdoors, using mosquito repellent, and ensuring that screens on doors and windows in your home are not broken.

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