Authorities Won't Confirm if Laclede County Death Due to West Nile
By: KOLR10 News
Updated: August 9, 2012
LEBANON, Mo. -- Health authorities in Laclede County say they are investigating a suspected case of West Nile virus, but can not comment on whether a recent death is due to the virus.
In a news release issued Thursday, Laclede County Health Department administrator Charla Baker says only one of the five suspected cases from 2006 through 2011 has been confirmed through laboratory testing.
And because of federal health confidentiality laws, she can "neither confirm nor deny a recent death was due to the West Nile Virus."
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports only 1 confirmed case in the state of Missouri this year, and 6 in Arkansas.
In a news release issued Thursday, Laclede County Health Department administrator Charla Baker says only one of the five suspected cases from 2006 through 2011 has been confirmed through laboratory testing.
And because of federal health confidentiality laws, she can "neither confirm nor deny a recent death was due to the West Nile Virus."
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports only 1 confirmed case in the state of Missouri this year, and 6 in Arkansas.
