Dallas County Health and Human Services said Wednesday that a ninth person has died in the county after being infected with West Nile virus.
The patient lived in zip code 75116 and had been diagnosed with West Nile neuroinvasive disease.
The county has not said if the patient had any underlying medical conditions. Due to patient confidentiality reasons, no further information about the patient will be released.
Get tips on symptoms of West Nile and West Nile prevention here.
West Nile Virus Facts
Most people bitten by a West Nile virus-infected mosquito will not show any symptoms. Symptoms, if they appear, are fever, headache, nausea, body aches, swollen lymph nodes and skin rashes.
Fewer than 1 percent of those infected with West Nile virus experience the serious form of the illness. Serious symptoms include high fever, severe headache, neck stiffness, disorientation, tremors or convulsions, vision loss, muscle weakness and numbness or paralysis.
Both Dallas and Richardson are urging residents to:
- Drain standing water around their homes to reduce mosquito breeding grounds.
- Dress in pants and long sleeves when outside, but avoid becoming too hot.
- Apply an insect repellent that contains DEET to exposed skin and to clothing when outdoors.
- Stay indoors at dusk and dawn, when mosquitoes are most active.
