FALLON - Another case of West Nile virus has been confirmed in a person living in water-rich Churchill County, raising the county's total case number to six and the state's to 16.
The Nevada State Health Division also confirmed the first reported human case of the virus in Lyon County and three other probable cases in Churchill County.
So far, there are 16 confirmed human cases of West Nile in the state. Eight are in Clark County, and one is in Washoe.
The health division reported that six of the seven rural-area residents with the disease exhibited only mild symptoms, while one developed meningitis or encephalitis.
The three probable cases in Churchill County, however, were showing more severe symptoms.
While the vast majority of people infected with the mosquito-borne virus either develop no symptoms or a mild case of what appears to be influenza, a small percentage can develop meningitis or encephalitis.
The virus is far more widespread among birds and horses. Horses can be vaccinated against it, while humans cannot.
The mosquitoes that carry it breed in standing water, and the Fallon area's Newlands Project irrigation system leaves pools along its channels.
