State Health Department officials have confirmed a Camden County man has New Jersey's first human case of West Nile virus of the year.
The 48-year-old remains hospitalized after exhibiting symptoms of mosquito-borne virus on July 8. The symptoms included headache, altered mental status and encephalitis, which is swelling of the brain. His name has not been released.
West Nile has only been identified among mosquito populations in Monmouth and Atlantic counties so far this year.
Health officials say residents should eliminate standing water to reduce the risk of infection.
There were 26 West Nile cases in humans in New Jersey last year, including three fatalities.
Copyright AP - Associated Press
