West Nile virus confirmed in Lexington

The West Nile virus is in Central Kentucky.

The Fayette County Health Department confirmed Monday that someone in Lexington tested positive for the mosquito-borne infection.

It’s the first confirmed case in Lexington in more than a decade.

The health department says the virus can be very serious for some people.

Health professionals are asking the general public to take measures in avoiding mosquito bites.

The person who caught the virus lives in the 40508 zip code in the area of Newtown Pike near Main Street.

Right now the patient’s condition is unknown.

Health experts are asking the public to get rid of standing water near their homes and to wear bug repellent.

They say although mosquitoes are out around the clock, twilight is when you're most likely to get bit.

Kraig Humbaugh of the Lexington-Fayette County Health Department said, “I think what most people need to know is most cases of West Nile are not even symptomatic but about 1 percent of cases can be relatively severe in older people and especially people with chronic diseases or other health problems. They're more likely to have severe illness and that can include meningitis and encephalitis.”

The city has been spraying repellent overnight throughout the summer months, and mosquito season is coming to a close.