NEW CITY – The season’s first human case of West Nile virus has been confirmed in Rockland County.

According to the State Health Department, there have been 26 human cases outside of New York City and 11 cases in the city.

Most people infected with the virus do not develop symptoms, but some may experience mild illness with flu-like symptoms.

Serious illness can include high fever, headache, neck stiffness, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, vision loss, numbness, paralysis, or encephalitis – inflammation of the brain.

Less than one percent of people infected develop severe illness that affects the nervous system, requires hospitalization, or results in death.

The risk of severe illness increases with age and in individuals with underlying medical conditions

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