A 75-year-old from southwest Kansas became the first person in the state to die this year from West Nile virus, health officials announced Friday.

The victim developed symptoms from the virus earlier this month and was hospitalized, according to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. The state refused to release details about the individual, citing patient confidentiality.

The KDHE also announced three more human cases. A 21-year-old from Kingman County and a 44-year-old from Stafford County are confirmed cases, and a 71-year-old from Wyandotte County is a probable case.

Douglas County has had three of the state’s nine cases this year.

The KDHE encouraged precautions, including using insect repellent with DEET to guard against mosquitoes that may carry the virus.

Symptoms can be as mild as headaches or severe as neurological damage and death for some, the KDHE said.