The Virginia Department of Health announced yesterday that it has identified two more human cases of West Nile virus. This brings the number of "probable" infections to four statewide.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has confirmed one additional Virginia case as a West Nile infection.
The two most recent West Nile patients are a 41-year-old Richmond man and a 26-year-old man.
The Richmond patient lives in an area west of the city, where authorities previously have found birds and mosquitoes infected with West Nile.
The Richmond man experienced muscle weakness and was diagnosed with meningitis Aug. 20.
He was hospitalized, but since has been released.
The Utah man was diagnosed with mild meningitis in Utah on July 20. West Nile virus has not spread west to Utah.
Authorities believe the man contracted the virus while serving military duty in central Virginia.
He also has been released from the hospital.
One other "probable" West Nile patient still is hospitalized in Hanover County.
West Nile sometimes manifests as mild flu-like symptoms, or as high fever and severe headaches accompanied by an altered mental state.
Individuals can reduce the chance of contracting the virus by minimizing mosquito exposure with long-sleeved clothing and insect repellent containing DEET.