Missouri reports 15 new preliminary cases in humans

ST. LOUIS -- Preliminary tests show that 15 new human cases of West Nile virus have been reported in Missouri, health officials said Friday. That brings the state's number of human cases of the mosquito-borne disease to 67.

All but one of the new cases were from the St. Louis area -- six from St. Louis County, eight from St. Louis city. One case was from Pulaski County.

The cases were reported in people ranging in age from 21 years to 88 years old.

The virus is most dangerous for children, the elderly and people with weak immune systems. Preliminary results have been sent to the Atlanta-based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for confirmation.