BALTIMORE (7News) — A person living in Baltimore, Maryland tested positive for West Nile virus, marking the first confirmed case of the virus in the state this year, the Maryland Department of Health confirmed.
The West Nile virus commonly spreads through the bite of a mosquito infected by feeding on birds that have the virus. Although most people don’t develop symptoms from the virus, health officials said that those who do test positive may get a fever, headache and body aches.
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“We are in the season when the West Nile virus can spread in Maryland,” said Deputy Secretary for Public Health Services Dr. Nilesh Kalyanaraman. “We urge people to be vigilant and take steps to avoid infection and eliminate standing pools of water where mosquitoes can breed.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are no vaccines or medications that prevent someone from getting the virus. Health officials said the best way to prevent it is to protect one’s self from mosquito bites.
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West Nile virus was detected in the United States for the first time in 1999, and the number of Marylanders infected with the virus changes every season. According to the Maryland Department of Health, seven Maryland residents tested positive for West Nile virus in 2023.
For more information on West Nile virus, including data and educational materials, visit the Center for Zoonotic and Vectorborne Diseases or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention West Nile virus information page.
Rachel Carter is a health and wellness expert dedicated to helping readers lead healthier lives. With a background in nutrition, she offers evidence-based advice on fitness, nutrition, and mental well-being.
