Dr. James Buhr is Barnes County’s health officer. (Steve Browne/VCTR)

By Steve Browne
Valley City Times-Record

The North Dakota State Department of Health has confirmed 14 new cases of West Nile virus in North Dakota, but the real number could be much higher, though not cause for alarm.
"There are currently 14 human WNV cases reported to the state, up six from last week's eight cases," said Michelle Feist, influenza and West Nile virus surveillance coordinator for North Dakota. "The new cases are in Barnes, Dickey, McLean, Nelson and two in Stutsman County.  
“Compared to where we were last year at this time (54 cases), there are notably fewer cases so far this year,” Feist said. “But August is typically the month where peak WNV activity occurs in humans, so there is still ample season left."
According to Barnes County Health Officer Dr. James Buhr, there are more cases that go unreported, or even unnoticed.
"We don't send in a specimen to the state, unless they're sick enough to be hospitalized," Buhr said. "A lot of people have mild cases. I've probably had it myself"
West Nile virus is spread by mosquitoes. Cases can be without symptoms, a mild fever, or serious enough to need hospitalization.
Symptoms of West Nile virus are: a fever of 100 degrees or more, headache, tiredness, and muscle aches. People with an especially severe case can become confused, sensitive to light and may have a rash, according to Feist.
Buhr said most cases are probably without symptoms or only mild ones, and only a few people get sick enough to notice it.
"My feeling is we'll all get it eventually," Buhr said. "It's a new virus and we're in the process of developing immunities to it, like they have in Africa."
West Nile virus originated in Africa. It was first recorded in North Dakota in 2002, Feist said.