West Nile kills one in Escambia County

PENSACOLA, Fla. (AP) - Dr. John Lanza with the Escambia County Health Department said Wednesday an individual has died from West Nile Virus in the county.

The person who died from the virus was around 50-years-old, according to Lanza.

So far, there have been 10 confirmed cases of the mosquito-borne illness in Escambia County and 41 total in Florida.

Lanza said when someone is infected with the virus and it becomes a severe case, they usually have 2-3 weeks to live.

In Alabama, there have been 20 cases and one confirmed death.

Texas ranks above all other states with 1,225 cases and 50 deaths. The total number of cases nationwide is 3,142 with 134 deaths.

Health officials are warning residents to reduce their exposure to mosquitos, which can infect humans with the virus.