Huntington Woman Infected With West Nile

A Huntington woman was infected with the West Nile virus, but is recovering, the Suffolk County Health Department reported Tuesday.

The woman, who is 50, became ill in October and was hospitalized.

She was the third human case of West Nile reported in Suffolk County this year, the department said.

The two earlier cases occurred in Brookhaven; both patients, also over 50, are recovering.

West Nile virus is transmitted to humans by the bite of an infected mosquito. According to health commissioner Dr. James Tomarken, most people infected with West Nile virus will experience mild or no symptoms, though about one in five will develop a fever with other symptoms such as headache, body aches, joint pains, vomiting, diarrhea, or rash. 

Less than one percent of those who are infected will develop a serious neurologic illness such as encephalitis or meningitis. Symptoms of neurologic illness include headache, high fever, neck stiffness, disorientation, coma, tremors, seizures, or paralysis.

People over the age of 50 are at higher risk for encephalitis. The reasons one person becomes severely ill and another doesn't aren't entirely known, the department said.