Health officials are reporting the first human case of West Nile virus this year in Denton County.
The infected person is an adult male Lewisville resident, according to the Denton County Health Department and city officials.
"It is important for residents to take precautions to prevent mosquito bites by minimizing outdoor exposure during peak mosquito activity, dressing appropriately and using DEET or other EPA-approved repellents," said Denton County Chief Epidemiologist Juan Rodriguez, in an emailed statement.
The county's first mosquito trap to test positive for West Nile virus was collected July 22 at the University of North Texas athletics facility near Highland Park Road.
- 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.
