Prince George's County officials have confirmed the presence of West Nile Virus in a New Carrollton, Md., resident, and are warning other county residents to take precautions.
Health officials say recent heavy rains and standing water have created a risk of exposure to the virus, which can be spread to humans by an infected mosquito's bite.
The New Carrollton case is the county's first confirmed case of West Nile Virus in a human.
Infected humans can suffer a fever, headache, nausea and damage to the central nervous system.
Residents are being urged to avoid mosquito bites by wearing long-sleeved clothing while outdoors and by removing breeding mosquitoes from yards.
Copyright AP - Associated Press
