HELENA — A McCone County resident is the first Montana resident to die from complications related to West Nile virus so far this year.
State health officials said Tuesday that the case brings to six the number of West Nile cases reported in Montana. Four were in Dawson County and one in Garfield County.
The Department of Public Health and Human Services said the victim was an adult who had not traveled outside the state over the past month. No other information was released.
West Nile virus is transmitted by infected mosquitoes. About 80 percent of those infected show no symptoms, while about 20 percent develop a low-grade fever, headache and muscle aches. Serious, life-threatening symptoms develop in fewer than 1 percent of people. The symptoms include rash, high fever, stiff neck, mental confusion, coma and convulsions.