Posted by admin in 
West Nile has claimed the first human life in Iowa, according to the Department of Public Health who state that an elderly man died from the virus earlier this month.
West Nile is carried by mosquitoes, and is transferred to humans via mosquito bites.
A healthy person is not likely to be effected too much by the virus, but the young, old or people with weakened immune systems are at risk of the virus doing them harm.
“This first death related to West Nile is tragic and reminds us to protect ourselves and our families from mosquitoes,” said IDPH Medical Director, Dr. Patricia Quinlisk.
There are ways that humans can protect themselves from contracting the virus. They include: wearing long pants and shirts outside, staying inside during dawn and dusk, wearing bug spray outside at all times, and making sure your window screens are intact.
So far this year, 8 residents of Iowa have contracted the virus.
