"Oklahoma Reports First Human Cases of West Nile Virus in 2023"

The Oklahoma State Department of Health has reported the state's first human cases of West Nile virus for 2023. Evidence of the virus has increased across Oklahoma, with positive mosquito pools identified in various regions. The virus is primarily spread by the Culex mosquito, which becomes more abundant during the mid-to-late summer. Symptoms include fever, headache, body and joint pain, and in severe cases, neurological complications. Health officials advise using insect repellent, repairing window and door screens, and eliminating standing water to prevent mosquito breeding.