By Bill Raack, KWMU
St. Louis, MO. – The first cases of West Nile virus in the city of St. Louis have been confirmed.
Three men tested positive for the mosquito-borne disease; a 41-year-old, a 52-year-old and a 68-year-old.
There are nine other confirmed cases of West Nile virus in Missouri.
Health officials say this is the peak time of the year for the virus, which is transmitted to humans through mosquito bites. They say that those over the age of 50 are at greater risk of developing severe illness from the virus.