While the Zika virus continues to grab all of the media headlines, the potentially fatal West Nile virus is back in the Garden State.

The New Jersey Department of Health confirmed Thursday the state's first human case of West Nile virus in a Camden County resident.

The 48-year-old man remains hospitalized after he began experiencing symptoms on July 8, according to the NJDOH. The man's symptoms included headache, encephalitis and an altered mental state.

So far this year, the virus has only been identified among mosquito populations in Atlantic and Monmouth counties, according to the NJDOH.

The majority of people infected with West Nile virus experience mild or no symptoms, with most not falling ill. The infection generally clears up within 10 days.

Health officials said residents can reduce the threat of infection by eliminating standing water on their properties and wearing protective clothing and insect repellent when outdoors.

New Jersey had 26 cases of West Nile virus last year, three of which were fatal. In 2014, the state had only eight cases of West Nile virus, with no fatalities.

Meanwhile, the state's Zika virus infection rate continues to climb.

To date, there have been 59 cases of Zika virus confirmed in New Jersey, according to the NJDOH. All cases are travel-related. Bergen County has the most at 13.

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