A 48-year-old Austin man has become the first Mower County resident to contract the West Nile virus.

Margene Gunderson, the director of community health services for the Mower County Public Health Department, said Monday the man was likely infected from a mosquito bite.

Gunderson said she doesn't know the man's health status, if he was hospitalized or if he still has the virus. Gunderson said an official with the Minnesota Department of Health contacted her Friday afternoon with the news.

Even if a person is infected with the virus, Gunderson said it is still rare that life-threatening symptoms could occur. About one out of 200 who are infected with the disease will develop encephalitis, or swelling of the brain.

"That's the thing we're more concerned about," she said. "We're concerned how they will handle the virus."

Residents can protect themselves by wearing long-sleeved clothing, insect repellent and removing standing water, Gunderson said.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, there have been 19 statewide cases of the West Nile virus found in humans, with no deaths. Nationally, there have been 2,339 human cases, with 116 confirmed deaths.

Flu-like symptoms are associated with the virus, including fever, muscle aches and fatigue.

Gunderson said a vaccine to combat the virus is in the works.

"The virus is here to stay," she said. "It will be another virus that we'll have to deal with. Once it's present, it will stay."

Dan Fields can be reached at 434-2230 or by e-mail at dan.fields@austindailyherald.com