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Medical copays reduce health care access in MS prisons; Israel planted explosives in pagers sold to Hezbollah according to official sources; Serving looks with books: Libraries fight 'fast fashion' by lending clothes; Menhaden decline threatens Virginia's ecosystem, fisheries.

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JD Vance calls for toning down political rhetoric, while calls for his resignation grow because of his own comments. The Secret Service again faces intense criticism, and a right to IVF is again voted down in the US Senate.

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A USDA report shows a widening gap in rural versus urban health, a North Carolina county remains divided over a LGBTQ library display, and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz' policies are spotlighted after his elevation to the Democratic presidential ticket.

New Mexico Has First Confirmed Human West Nile Case of 2014

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Monday, August 25, 2014   

SANTA FE, N.M. - As August draws to a close health officials in New Mexico have confirmed the states first human case of 2014 of the potentially fatal West Nile virus. Dr. Paul Ettestad, public health veterinarian with the New Mexico Department of Health, says a 45-year-old woman from San Juan County is recovering at home after contracting a virus that has killed several people across the state.

"Last year we had 38 cases, and unfortunately three fatalities with those cases," Ettestad says. "The most we've ever had is 2003. That year we had 209 cases and four fatalities."

Ettestad says the West Nile virus cycles between birds and mosquitoes earlier in the summer, and eventually makes its way to humans and horses through mosquito bites.

With the continuing rainfall, mosquito populations can be expected to increase. Ettestad says, when outdoors the best defense is using insect repellent on exposed skin and clothing and doing your best to avoid mosquitoes by staying indoors when they're out.

"Mosquitoes are most active from dusk till dawn," says Ettestad. "You can also minimize your risk by trying to eliminate water-holding containers, like old tires, where mosquitoes lay their eggs."

Ettestad says in people, West Nile can cause flu-like symptoms such as fever, nausea, headache and muscle aches. A small percentage of those infected can develop meningitis or encephalitis, infections that attack the brain and can be fatal, especially in people over age 50.


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