According to Public Health officials, Georgia’s second human case of West Nile virus for 2008 has been confirmed in Floyd County. “Testing at the Georgia Public Health Lab in Atlanta has confirmed that the suspect case in Floyd County was West Nile virus,” said Northwest Georgia Public Health Public Information Officer Logan Boss. A 70-year-old individual had previously been treated and tested at a Floyd County hospital for what was suspected to be West Nile, but initial lab tests were inconclusive, according to Boss. “Subsequent testing at the state lab confirmed that this was West Nile.” The victim is recovering.

West Nile virus is spread to people through the bite of an infected mosquito. People age 50 and older and those with compromised immune systems may experience an increased risk of severe complications, even death, from the virus.