2 Dona Ana County women, Valencia County man have West Nile

Health officials say two women from Dona Ana County and a Valencia County man have been diagnosed with the West Nile virus. The New Mexico Department of Health says all three are hospitalized with neuroinvasive disease, which is the more serious form of the illness. A horse from Valencia County also has been diagnosed with West Nile and is recovering. Health officials say August and September are typically when the highest number of West Nile cases are reported in both people and horses around New Mexico. They say the mosquito populations are very high this year because of the extensive rainfall in many areas of the state. In April, a 12-year-old girl from Valencia County was diagnosed with West Nile virus infection. She was hospitalized with neuroinvasive disease, but recovered.  AP