N.J. reports first West Nile-related deaths in 2013

Two elderly people have become the first New Jersey residents to die this year from complications related to West Nile virus.

State health officials announced the deaths Tuesday. But the victims’ names were not disclosed.

The first case involved a 78-year-old Gloucester County woman who was hospitalized after she developed fever, blurred vision, weakness and diarrhea last month. She died Aug. 24, and the death was reported to the health department on Tuesday.

The other victim was a 92-year-old man from Morris County, who developed fever and muscle weakness last month and was hospitalized with encephalitis. He died Saturday.

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Four other New Jersey residents have tested positive for West Nile virus this year. Two live in Camden County, while the others live in Bergen and Burlington counties.

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