New York City health officials have reported the city’s first human case of West Nile virus this year.
The person contracted the virus after spending time outdoors both inside and outside of the five boroughs, according to the Health Department. The person’s age and condition were not immediately released.
West Nile virus is spread through the bite of an infected mosquito and cannot be transmitted from person to person, according to health officials.
The Health Department said West Nile virus has been detected in mosquitoes in all five boroughs since June.
More than 1,000 mosquito pools have tested positive for the virus citywide this year, with the first positive pool detected on June 16.
Health officials are urging New Yorkers to take precautions, including using insect repellent, wearing long sleeves and pants outdoors and limiting outdoor activities around dawn and dusk, when mosquitoes that carry West Nile virus are most active.
Most people infected with West Nile virus do not develop symptoms. Others may experience fever, headache, muscle aches, rash and fatigue.
About 1 in 150 people who become infected develop a serious illness affecting the brain and spinal cord. Older adults and people with weakened immune systems are at greater risk of severe illness.
“West Nile virus is spread by mosquito bites and cannot spread from person to person. The good news is it’s preventable. With mosquito season in full swing, we’re encouraging New Yorkers to take extra precautions to minimize the risk of mosquito bites,” Health Commissioner Dr. Alister F. Martin said in a statement.
Nationally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported more than 220 human cases of West Nile virus so far this year, primarily in Arizona, Texas and California.