Vermont confirms 2nd human illness from West Nile virus

BURLINGTON, Vt. – The Vermont Department of Health has confirmed the state’s second case this year of human illness from West Nile virus, a disease spread by the bite of an infected mosquito.

The department said Thursday a second Windsor County resident got sick in mid-July. The first case was reported July 1 and officials say that Winsor County resident got sick in mid-June.

The residents in both cases developed the more serious illness that affects the nervous system called West Nile neuroinvasive disease. Officials say the two cases aren’t related.

Officials say most people who are infected do not become sick. About 20 percent get symptoms including high fever, muscle aches, headache and fatigue.

Since 2003, nine human cases of West Nile have been reported in Vermont.