National & World Ag News Headlines Nebraska Reports First West Nile Virus Death This Year USAgNet - 08/29/2007 Nebraska health officials say the first West Nile virus death of the year is a Panhandle man. Officials say the man who died was in his 80s and died near the end of July. Elderly people are most at risk to suffer serious effects of the disease. The total number of Nebraska cases this year also increased from 38 to 46 since the last update from the state Department of Health and Human Services, reports the Associated Press. The new cases were reported in Antelope, Dawson, Madison, Rock, Scotts Bluff and Thomas counties. West Nile is transmitted through mosquito bites from insects that fed on infected birds. Last year there were 264 human cases of the disease and two deaths reported. Copyright © 2010 - USAgNet.com. All Rights Reserved.