
There have been 31 human cases of the disease so far this year in New Mexico, with one of the most recent cases being the local elderly woman.
State health officials are reminding New Mexico residents to continue to take precautions against West Nile virus, such as using insect repellant on exposed skin.
Paul Ettestad, public health veterinarian for the state Department of Health, said most West Nile virus cases occur in the late summer but the disease remains a threat until the first hard freeze of the season.
Common symptoms include fever, nausea, headache, and muscle
aches. In rare cases, West Nile virus can cause meningitis or encephalitis.
Luna County has had only two other confirmed cases of West Nile – one in 2008 and one in 2005.