BEIJING, Aug. 23 (Xinhuanet) -- The health department of the state of Arkansas has confirmed its first death from the West Nile virus, since it was first discovered in the in 1999. The department didn’t give any details but added that the state has so far reported 15 cases.

The virus, a mosquito-borne illness that can lead to serious neurological disease in some cases, was first identified in Uganda in 1937. The symptoms include sudden onset of fever, headache, nausea, and dizziness.

Experts are warning high risk groups to be on alert, including the elderly and people with weak immune systems. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the U.S. said on Wednesday that so far, 1,118 cases of the virus have been reported in the country, including 41 deaths from the virus this year.

(Source: CNTV.cn)