Dallas County is reporting its 19th human case of West Nile virus this season, and it is the second case in the same ZIP code this month.
The patient lives in the 75243 ZIP code, which is located east of U.S. Highway 75, between Royal Lane and Spring Valley Road.
He or she was diagnosed with the more serious West Nile neuroinvasive disease, according to Dallas County Health and Human Services.
For medical confidentiality and personal privacy reasons, further information is not expected to be released about the patient.
Symptoms of West Nile neuroinvasive disease include neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness and paralysis. The neuroinvasive form of the disease can be deadly.
Earlier this month, another person living in the same ZIP code was diagnosed with the 15th human case of West Nile virus this season.
- Dress in long sleeves, pants when outside: For extra protection, spray thin clothing with repellent.
- DEET: Make sure this ingredient is in your insect repellent.
- Drain standing water in your yard and neighborhood: Mosquitoes can develop in any water stagnant for more than three days.
It has been recommended in the past that to avoid mosquito bites you should avoid being outdoors during Dusk and Dawn (the 4 Ds). While this is true for mosquitoes that commonly carry the West Nile virus, other types of mosquitoes that are more likely to carry Zika, dengue and chikungunya are active during the day. When outdoors, no matter what time of day, adjust your dress accordingly and wear insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus as your first line of defense against insect bites.
