Seven cases of West Nile confirmed in 2017

There have been seven cases of West Nile virus confirmed in the province with four of those in the Alberta Health Services’ south zone, which includes Medicine Hat.

Of the seven cases reported, one was the neurological type and the other six non-neurological.

Those with West Nile nonneurological syndrome may experience fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, skin rash, swollen glands and headache. People who develop West Nile neurological syndrome may experience tremors, drowsiness, confusion, swallowing problems, high fever, unconsciousness, paralysis and even death.

In 2003, there were 275 cases of West Nile in Alberta and in 2007 there were 320. The numbers dropped drastically after that with only one in 2008, two in 2009, nine cases in 2012 including a local man who died that October from West Nile Neurological Syndrome.

There were 21 cases in 2013 and then nothing until last year when there were five cases, three of which were in the south of the province, according to data provided on Alberta Health's website.