BALTIMORE (AP) - Maryland health officials are reporting the state's first death from the West Nile virus.
State health department spokeswoman Dori Henry said Thursday that the department is not releasing any details on the death. Maryland has had 13 cases of West Nile virus so far this year. Nineteen cases were reported last year and 23 the year before in Maryland.
Meanwhile, Delaware is also reporting its first death from the West Nile virus. The Wilmington News Journal is reporting that the Delaware Division of Public Health confirmed that a 34 year old man who travels frequently for work .is believed to have gotten the virus while out of state.
Public health officials are investigating the case.
Federal officials announced Wednesday that West Nile cases nationwide are up 40 percent since last week and may rival the record years of 2002 and 2003.
Officials say an early spring and hot summer may be responsible. Mosquitoes get the virus from feeding on infected birds and spread it to people they bite. Symptoms include fever, headache and body aches, and most people get better in a few days.
