Washington, D.C., confirmed its first human case of West Nile Virus this year.
The patient, a D.C. resident, has improved enough to be released from a local hospital, Department of Health officials said Thursday.
Mosquitoes can pick up the virus from infected birds and transfer it to humans, horses and other mammals. While most people infected with the virus will not have any symptoms, those over age 50 years have the highest risk of developing more severe disease.
Continuous mosquito control can minimize risk of exposure.
"We strongly encourage residents to eliminate water filled cavities and spaces in which mosquitoes breed, such as old car tires, lawn figurines, poorly draining rain gutters, discarded cans and saucers under plant pots” said DOH Director, Dr. LaQuandra S. Nesbitt.
This week, health officials in Maryland also confirmed their first human case of West Nile virus this year. The infected person is an adult who lives in the Baltimore city area, the department said Tuesday.
