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West Nile Virus Hits Delmarva

West Nile Virus, fotosearch.com

DELAWARE

DOVER, Del. (AP) - Delaware Public health officials say two more cases of West Nile virus has been confirmed in residents, bringing the number infected to five, including one death.

The Division of Public Health said Tuesday that a 73-year-old Newark man is hospitalized in critical condition with the virus. A 46-year-old Harrington man was treated and released from a hospital with the disease. Officials say the Harrington man may have contracted the virus in Maryland or Washington.

This is the second largest yearly total in state history. There were 17 cases of West Nile virus in Delaware in 2003.

West Nile virus is transmitted by mosquitoes. 

OCEAN PINES

The Maryland Department of Agriculture will zero in on eliminating mosquitos from the Ocean Pines area after West Nile virus was recently detected in nearby water.

The Salisbury Daily Times reports that even those homes that generally opt out of mosquito spraying will get a dose of pesticide.

Two pools of water were found to have West Nile virus infected mosquitos.

Another case of human infection has also been referred to the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.

Ocean Pines Association General Manager Bob Thompson told the paper he wanted to make sure that people do not ignore the disease.  

Don Rush is the News Director at Delmarva Public Media. An award-winning journalist, Don reports major local issues of the day, from sea level rise, to urban development, to the changing demographics of Delmarva.