Rare case of West Nile virus identified in Cumberland County resident

The Cumberland County Health Department announced it identified its first case of the West Nile virus disease, which is carried to humans through mosquitos.

Posted 3:36 p.m. Sep 8, 2022 — Updated 3:42 p.m. Sep 8, 2022

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. — The Cumberland County Health Department announced it identified its first 2022 case of the West Nile virus disease, which is carried to humans through mosquitos.

"The public should not be alarmed but should be vigilant in protecting themselves from mosquito bites and preventing their proliferation around homes," the health department said in a statement.

Cumberland County Health Director Jennifer Green said people who are immunocompromised or elderly should make sure to wear bug spray that is approved by the Environmental Protection Agency. That's the best way to prevent transmission of the West Nile virus, Green said.

The health department said around one in five people who are infected get sick. The symptoms of West Nile virus are:

Headache
Body ache
Joint Paints
Vomitting
Diarrhea
Rash

Most people who are infected with West Nile virus have no symptoms at all, according to the state Department of Health and Human Services.

In 2018, North Carolina had 10 cases of the virus reported to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. North Carolina only saw one case reported to the CDC each year in 2019 and 2020.

Since 1999, there have only been 83 cases of the virus reported to the CDC in North Carolina.

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