Sterling man diagnosed with West Nile virus

STERLING - A Sterling man has been "diagnosed positive" for the potentially fatal, mosquito-borne West Nile virus, Whiteside County Health Department staff confirmed in a news release Friday. The man had symptoms consistent with West Nile virus, was treated and is doing better, Joan Saunders, head of infectious diseases at the Whiteside County Health Department, said in the release. "This is why it is so important to protect yourself and your children from mosquito bites," said Beth Fiorini, public health administrator. Mosquitoes pick up the virus by feeding on infected birds. Symptoms develop 3 to 14 days later and can range from slight fever and headache in mild cases, to aches, disorientation, tremors, convulsions and, in the most sever