West Nile infects W. Feliciana man's nervous system NEW ORLEANS (AP) (wrkf) - Louisiana's state epidemiologist reports the first case this year of encephalitis or meningitis caused by the West Nile virus.

In addition, Dr. Raoult Ratard reports the year's first case of LaCrosse encephalitis, and the year's third case of less dangerous West Nile fever.

The patient whose nervous system was infected by the West Nile virus is a West Feliciana Parish man between the ages of 60 and 75.

The LaCrosse encephalitis case is a Rapides Parish boy less than 15 years old.

The third West Nile fever patient is in St. Tammany Parish. The others, diagnosed earlier, were in East Baton Rouge and Caddo parishes. © Copyright 2009, wrkf