Death from West Nile virus confirmed
The Minnesota Department of Health confirmed today that one person in Stevens County died after contracting West Nile virus earlier this month.
It is the first death from the virus in Minnesota in 2012.
There have been 20 documented cases of West Nile in the state so far this year. The virus has also been found in 10 blood donors across the state, according to a document released by the Minnesota Department of Health on Monday.
West Nile is a virus that's transmitted to people through mosquitoes. Although many people infected with West Nile will have only mild symptoms, according to the Department of Health website, some will develop brain inflammation that can be fatal.
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