3 Cases Of West Nile Virus Confirmed In Baltimore

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- The Baltimore City Health Department announces its first cases of West Nile virus.

Health officials confirm three people have the mosquito-borne illness.

The infected individuals live in the 21224 and the 21239 zip codes, which is in Highlandtown and in northeast Baltimore near Morgan State.

Officials are currently going door to door in these communities, explaining what people can do to reduce their risk of getting infected.

"Cases of West Nile Virus are expected around this time of year," said Baltimore City Health Commissioner, Dr. Leana Wen. "We want to remind residents to be careful and to the take simple steps which can greatly reduce the risk of getting infected."

West Nile virus is spread to humans by the bite of an infected mosquito. It does not spread from person to person through casual contact.

There is no word yet on any plans to spray in the areas where the cases were confirmed.