Houston County Man Infected With West Nile Virus Dies

WARNER ROBINS, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – A Houston County man infected with West Nile Virus has died.

Dustin Hendrix says his father, 65-year-old Charles Hendrix, passed away on Tuesday at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta from the disease. Dustin believes his father was bit by an infected mosquito at his home in Warner Robins.

Dustin says his father was recovering in a long term care facility and then re-hospitalized after showing signs of getting sicker.

According to the North Central Health District, Charles Hendrix was one of three patients in Houston County confirmed to have West Nile Virus. The other two cases were a 10-year-old boy and a 70-year-old woman. Dr. David Harvey, the District Health Director for NCHD, told 41 NBC the other two patients are fully recovered.

There are no other confirmed cases or deaths of West Nile Virus in Middle Georgia.

Symptoms of the West Nile Virus include headache, fever, neck discomfort, muscle and joint aches, swollen lymph nodes, and a rash that typically develops 15 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito.

The NCHD urges residents to avoid outdoor activity at dusk and dawn, wear loose fitting clothing, cover skin with insect repellent containing the chemical deet, and empty any containers holding standing water.