Forsyth County Health Department Director Marlon Hunter said Wednesday that a county man who died Aug. 16 is suspected of dying of the West Nile virus, but the official cause of his death has not been confirmed. A Wayne County man died earlier this month of the mosquito-borne virus, marking the first death in the state from West Nile in seven years.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC reported this month that the outbreak of West Nile virus has been spreading further and faster this season, escalating from 29 cases in July to over 1,000 cases across 47 states in August.

Dr. Chris Ohl, associate professor of infectious diseases at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center said symptoms of the disease can range from minor aches and pains to  severe inflammation or infection of the brain.

“Most people who get West Nile have a mild flu-like illness with a mild fever and some body aches and a mild headache. You should see a doctor if you have a fever and a severe headache with it and certainly if you have any changes in behavior or confusion you should see your doctor or emergency department right away,” said Ohl.

Ohl said severe West Nile cases usually occur in people who have other underlying medical problem, the elderly and young children.

He said the virus is generally spread by mosquitoes that feed on infected birds.

The CDC said in a small number of cases, the virus has been spread through transfusions, transplants, breastfeeding or in pregnancy from mother to child. Eighty percent of people infected with the virus show no symptoms at all.

Dr. Ohl said there are several ways people can reduce their risk to the virus.

“Mosquitos tend to breed in small areas of dirty standing water, so every day after rain, empty and clean out the dog bowls and empty bird baths and drain flower pots that accumulate standing water. Wear long sleeves and pants to cover as much exposed skin as possible and on exposed skin wear a mosquito repellent that has 30 to 35 percent DEET on the label,” said Ohl.