by Ricardo Rodriguez
Web Content Producer

Health officials stated that the other two Florida victims are recovering. Are you at risk?

As you read, Around Central Florida.com will illustrate the virus, its transmission and prevention.

For the past couple of years, Florida residents have paid close attention to the West Nile virus. Last year it caused 284 deaths and infected more than 4,156 people nationwide. Twenty-eight people in Florida got sick with West Nile and two died. A 9-year-old Highlands County boy came down with eastern equine virus last year and recovered.

Health officials say there are a number of ways Floridians can avoid West Nile virus.

The first U.S. case of the West Nile Virus this year was in South Carolina. Last year, there were 4,156 reported cases, including 284 deaths. Clearly, Americans need help preventing the spread of the deadly virus.

West Nile virus, or Flaviviridae, is a classification of viruses that cause disease in humans. The classification includes 69 viruses. One of these viruses is the West Nile Virus.

Commonly found in Africa, West Asia and the Middle East, the West Nile Virus can infect humans, birds, horses and other mammals. Typically, the West Nile Virus's flu-like symptoms only last for a few days, and there are no long-term health effects associated with the virus.

More severe cases associated with the virus are West Nile encephalitis, West Nile meningitis or West Nile meningoencephalitis. Encephalitis is an inflammation of the brain, and its symptoms include sudden fever, headache, vomiting, photophobia (abnormal visual sensitivity to light), stiff neck and back, confusion, drowsiness, clumsiness, unsteady gait, and irritability.

Meningitis or meningoencephalitis is an infection of the tissue surrounding the brain and spinal cord, causing it to expand. Symptoms often include high fever, severe & persistent headache, stiff neck, nausea and vomiting. Changes in behavior such as confusion, sleepiness, and difficulty waking up are extremely important symptoms and may require emergency treatment.

Since the virus can be commonly found in Africa, Eastern Europe, West Asia, and the Middle East, it is not known how the virus came to the western hemisphere. However, the West Nile Virus found in the western hemisphere is most closely related, genetically, to strains found in the Middle East.

The continued growth of cases in the United States is evidence of the virus' permanent presence in the western hemisphere.

In temperate zones, West Nile cases occur primarily in the late summer or early fall. In milder climates, cases are seen all year round.

Don't let your guard down. Still keep your insect repellent handy, wear long sleeves and long pants and get rid of mosquito breeding sites in the yard.

Just one mosquito bite can transmit West Nile virus or other diseases. To prevent illness from WNV and other mosquito-borne diseases. Click here to see prevention methods on how to avoid this virus.