Albuquerque, NM (KKOB) — The New Mexico Department of Health has announced that two New Mexicans have tested positive for West Nile Virus. Health officials report that the Bernalillo County woman in her 70’s is currently hospitalized. The other victim, an Otero County man in his 30’s is recovering at home. West Nile virus is spread by mosquitoes and can cause severe illness in people, horses, and birds. Symptoms of the virus can include headache, fever, muscle and joint aches, nausea and fatigue. Most people experience very mild illness or have no symptoms. However, about 1% of people have a more serious infection with symptoms including neck stiffness, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness and paralysis.
