Montana’s first 2016 cases of West Nile virus have been reported in Dawson and Garfield Counties.
The Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services announced Thursday that four human cases — three in Dawson County and one in Garfield — have been identified, along with an equine case in Petroleum County.
In addition, mosquitoes in Lake, Prairie, Phillips and Valley counties have tested positive for the virus, DPHHS said.
West Nile is a mosquito-transmitted virus that causes a low-grade fever, headache and muscle ache in about one in five people infected, with the rest seeing no symptoms and developing an immunity. In rare cases, life-threatening symptoms can develop, including rash, fever, stiffness and mental confusion.
The health agency recommended removing mosquito breeding areas in and around the home, including draining bird baths, wading pools and other containers of water every few days, along with wearing pants and long-sleeved shirts whenever possible.
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