The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services reports that as of Aug. 29, five cases of West Nile virus, including two deaths, have been confirmed in the state.

Confirmed cases have been reported in Cabarrus, Forsyth, Mecklenburg, Scotland and Wayne counties, a news release said.

State Health Director Laura Gerald urges residents and visitors to take precautions to prevent mosquito-borne illness, including regular use of insect repellant and eliminating potential breeding sites around homes and businesses.

“While the Division of Public Health has only confirmed cases of West Nile in these five counties, we want to encourage everyone to protect themselves, especially at this time of year, when mosquitoes are most active,” Dr. Gerald said. “West Nile, and other mosquito-borne illness, can occur in any county in North Carolina.”

Gerald added that about 80 percent of people infected with West Nile, or four out of five, will not show any symptoms at all. About one in five people who are infected with West Nile virus will develop symptoms such as fever, headache, body aches, joint pains, vomiting, diarrhea or rash.

Less than 1 percent will develop a serious neurologic illness such as encephalitis or meningitis (inflammation of the brain or surrounding tissues).

As of Aug. 28, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control reported that 48 states have reported West Nile virus infections in people, birds or mosquitoes.

A total of 1,590 cases of West Nile virus disease in people, including 66 deaths, have been reported to CDC.

For more information about preventing mosquito-borne illness, visit http://epi. publichealth.nc.gov/cd/diseases/arbo.html.