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West Nile Virus Confirmed In 3 Md. Adults

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Confirmed cases of a deadly disease. Health officials are reporting new cases of West Nile virus have been discovered around Baltimore.

Monique Griego has the health warning.

It's that time of year again. Mosquitoes are breeding and biting.

"My daughter is always out, and within like two seconds she's like, 'I'm covered in bug bites.' And if you don't spray beforehand it's really bad," said Juanita Thompson, Baltimore County.

Thompson is now taking even more precautions after the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene announced this year's first confirmed cases of West Nile virus. All three of those infected are adults living in the Baltimore metropolitan area.

While the majority of those infected don't have any symptoms and heal on their own, in a severe case:

"It's a flu-like illness. Lots of fever, chills, headache, body aches," said Kimberly Mitchell, Md. Department of Health.

Health leaders are advising people to use bug repellent and cover up during the prime feeding hours of dusk and dawn, and to clear any standing water from their property.

"Things like bird baths, wading pools, children's toys, anything that can collect even just a quarter-inch of water," Mitchell said.

So far, mosquitoes collected in Montgomery and Worcester County have tested positive for West Nile. The Maryland Department of Agriculture has already been out spraying those areas and other communities with high mosquito activity.

"It makes me feel great where we're living and makes me feel like they're actually thinking about us," said Thompson.

All three of the people infected were hospitalized, but have since been released.

State health leaders say people over the age of 50 are at a greater risk of developing a severe case of West Nile.

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