A Fayette County man may be

the county's first West Nile virus victim.

Officials at the District Four

Health Services this week said a 77-year-old male experienced West Nile

virus symptoms Aug. 31 and was hospitalized. His symptoms included fever,

muscle pain and weakness, joint pain and a stiff neck. The man died earlier

this week, and he had tested positive for the virus.

Dr. John Riggs at District

Four could offer no further information on the case, but said one bird

from Fayette County had been sent in to be checked for the virus. One

infected bird has shown up west of Fayette in nearby Sharpsburg in Coweta

County, and infected birds have been reported in Fulton County, our neighbor

to the north.

Health officials said people

with chronic illnesses and people over 50 have the greatest risk of developing

severe neurological diseases.

Officials added most people

who are bitten by mosquitos carrying the virus show no symptoms of illness.

Symptoms of the viral infection

vary, but could include sudden onset of fever, along with body aches and

headache.

In severe cases, symptoms could

include neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors and paralysis.

For more information on the

virus, contact the Fayette County Health Department at 770-461-1178, ext.

5416, or visit their Web site at www.fayettecounty

healthdepartment.org.

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