Dallas County

Dallas County Reports New Case of West Nile Fever

Dallas County health officials are reporting the second case of West Nile fever this week and the fifth overall West Nile case of the 2015 season.

The infected person lives in the 75238 ZIP code, which includes the Lake Highlands area, according to Dallas County Health and Human Services.

Symptoms of West Nile fever can include fever, headache and muscle aches. The more serious neuroinvasive disease can be deadly.

How to Protect Yourself From Mosquito Bites
  • 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.

Contact Us