ALBANY, Ga. (WALB) — Two people have been hospitalized in Albany with West Nile virus, and Phoebe is urging people to protect themselves.

Mosquitoes pose a serious health risk, especially when they carry illnesses such as West Nile virus.

The two people infected are currently hospitalized at Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital, a health officials suspect a third person has the virus too as they await test results.

“The good news is severe complications from West Nile virus are exceptionally rare. Eighty percent of people infected with the virus never show any symptoms, and 20% develop mild symptoms. Less than 1% suffer severe illness, so it is unusual that we have several patients who are sick enough to require extended hospital stays at the same time,” said Dr. James Black, Phoebe medical director for emergency services. “Nationwide, we’ve had cases of West Nile appear in about 40 states. And in Georgia, we’ve had somewhere around five or six.”

Dr. Black says both of the hospitalized patients initially had mild symptoms, but progressing symptoms prompted doctors to run more tests.

“And then some symptoms kept progressing to the point where we actually did a lumbar puncture, and actually pull off some spinal fluid, and have an exam for a variety of tests, including West Nile virus,” Dr. Black explained.

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Those who are at higher risk should take extra care to protect themselves. Higher risk groups include the elderly, those with weakened immune systems, and people with chronic or underlying health conditions like cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure, and kidney disease.

MILD SYMPTOMS OF WEST NILE VIRUS

• fever
• headache
• body aches
• joint pain
• vomiting
• diarrhea
• rash

SEVERE SYMPTOMS OF WEST NILE VIRUS

• inflammation of the brain (encephalitis)
• inflammation of membranes around the brain and spinal cord (meningitis)
• high fever
• neck stiffness
• disorientation
• tremors
• convulsions
• paralysis

“Unfortunately, there is no vaccine or specific antiviral treatment for West Nile virus. When a patient is hospitalized we focus on supportive care for their symptoms. That’s why it’s so important for people – especially those at high risk for severe illness – to focus on prevention,” said Dr. Joseph Watson, Phoebe pulmonologist and critical care intensivist.

Dr. Black said the two hospitalized patients in Albany are slowly improving, but doctors still don’t know exactly where they were infected.

“There’s no connection between the two, and we actually have another patient we’re looking at that hasn’t been confirmed. But none of the three have anything in common,” Dr. Black said.

West Nile virus is spread when an infected mosquito bites someone. People should take steps to protect themselves, especially during the summer when mosquitoes are more prevalent.

WEST NILE PREVENTION TIPS

• Use insect repellent with EPA-registered ingredients like DEET
• Avoid being outside around dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active
• Wear long sleeves and pants
• Eliminate standing water around your home to reduce mosquito breeding

In South Georgia specifically, West Nile cases spike in August and September, but the illness can spread well into the fall as mosquitoes remain active.

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