MIAMI -- The number of people affected with West Nile virus is growing, and there may be a new case in Florida.

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Doctors say that they suspect a northeast Florida woman might be the first person infected with West Nile virus in Florida this year.

Sandy Hudson, 18, of Crescent Beach was tested after her doctor determined she had many symptoms of the virus. It could be Friday before test results are received.

Hudson lives in St. Johns County, where officials said earlier this week that a sentinel chicken was found to have the virus. Mosquitoes spread the virus from infected birds to humans, who can then develop deadly encephalitis, or swelling of the brain.

The potentially fatal virus infected 12 people in Florida last year and infected more than 400 horses and 1,000 birds.

A total of 93 human cases have been confirmed this year in Mississippi and Louisiana. The virus was first detected in the United States in 1999.

Deadly Epidemic In Louisiana

Tuesday, the mosquito-borne virus killed a fifth Louisiana resident, health officials said.

A Louisiana health department spokesman said the death of the 76-year-old woman is among about 14 new cases confirmed by federal health officials in the state. Officials had already confirmed 58 cases.

The new cases bring Louisiana's total to 72 -- the most in any outbreak in the country.

Doctors in Washington State have made a preliminary diagnosis for a man who apparently caught the virus in Louisiana. He has also recovered. Washington state health officials say there's no indication the virus has spread there.

West Nile Virus Q & A

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