Two West Nile Deaths In Minnesota

10/15/2007

(AP) -- Two adults from western Minnesota are the first West Nile deaths of the year.The health Department made the report yesterday, but the threat for the mosquito-born disease ended weeks ago with the first frosts.

Epidemiologist David Neitzel says the victims were from Big Stone and Polk counties and were bitten in July. They developed swelling on the brain and died. He says both victims had pre-existing health problems.

Only about one of every 150 people infected with West Nile develop such serious complications. Most suffer only mild colds or no symptoms at all.

Neitzel says the deaths add to what he calls one of the most active West Nile seasons in the state since 2002.