31 Cases of West Nile Virus Confirmed in East Texas

The number of reported West Nile cases in East Texas continues to increase. The Northeast Texas Public Health District confirms sixteen cases in Gregg County, eight in Smith, six  in Van Zandt County , and one in Henderson County.

The Northeast Texas Public Health District (NET Health) is urging people to take precautions to reduce the risk of contracting West Nile virus, a mosquito borne illness. People should use insect repellent, containing DEET, when outdoors and avoid going outside at dusk and dawn.

There has been a higher than usual number of human West Nile cases in Texas this year due to the warm winter and recent rains, particularly in the North Texas region.

Humans can contract West Nile virus from a mosquito bite. Infected mosquitoes get the virus from feeding on infected birds and mammals. The virus can cause serious illness or death.   The milder form of the illness is West Nile fever. Symptoms include fever, headache, muscle and bone aches, a rash may appear, nausea and drowsiness.   West Nile neuroinvasive disease symptoms include stiff neck, visual problems, body tremors, mental confusion, memory loss and seizures. People with the milder form of illness typically recover on their own, although symptoms may last for several weeks. Up to 80 percent of people infected with West Nile virus will have no symptoms and will recover on their own.

The intensity of West Nile virus activity in Texas fluctuates from year to year and depends on a variety of factors including the weather, the numbers of birds and mosquitoes that maintain and spread the virus and human behavior. The season can last up until the first hard freeze of the year.

There are no medications to treat or vaccines to prevent West Nile virus infection. People over 50 years old and those with compromised immune systems are at a higher risk of becoming seriously ill when they become infected with the virus. If people have symptoms that cause them concern, they should contact their healthcare provider.

To reduce exposure to West Nile virus:  Personal protection and property protection

DEET Use an approved insect repellent every time you go outside and follow the instructions on the label. Approved repellents are those that contain DEET, picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus.

Dress Wear long sleeves and pants  when outside

Dawn and dusk mosquitoes are more active so be especially careful at this time of the day.

Drain Regularly drain standing water, including water that collects in empty cans, tires, buckets, clogged rain gutters and saucers under potted plants. Mosquitoes breed in stagnant water.

Use air conditioning or make sure there are screens on all doors and windows to keep mosquitoes from entering the home.