HARRISBURG — A 56-year-old Clearfield County man has the first case of West Nile virus confirmed in Pennsylvania this year, the state Health Department said Wednesday.

The man, who was not identified, is recovering and has been discharged from a hospital, the department said.

Last year, there were nine human cases of West Nile virus in Pennsylvania and two deaths related to the virus.

Symptoms of mild West Nile virus infection include head and body aches, skin rash and swollen lymph glands. More serious cases can cause high fever, headache, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, occasional convulsions and paralysis.

Health officials said the risk of contracting West Nile virus from an infected mosquito is small, and the chances of becoming seriously ill even smaller, but people — particularly the elderly and those with compromised immune systems — should try to reduce their risk.

Among the suggested steps are making sure screens fit tightly, wearing clothes that cover arms and legs, avoiding the outdoors at dawn and dusk from April through October, and following manufacturers' instructions when using insect repellant.

The risk also can be reduced by eliminating places where water pools for more than four days.