Minnesota Reports Season’s 1st Case of West Nile

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) - Minnesota health officials are reporting the state's first confirmed case of West Nile virus for 2012.

Officials say a St. Louis County man became ill in late May after traveling to south-central Minnesota. He was hospitalized and is recovering.

The Minnesota Department of Health is urging Minnesotans to use mosquito repellent regularly. The risk is highest from mid-summer to early autumn.

About 1 of 150 people bitten by mosquitoes carrying West Nile virus develop central nervous system disease. About 10 percent of those infected die, and many survivors have long-term problems.

Since West Nile virus was discovered in Minnesota in 2002, the state has received reports of 465 cases, including 15 deaths.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)