Denton County

First Human West Nile Virus Case Confirmed in Flower Mound

Denton County health officials confirm the town of Flower Mound has its the first human case of West Nile virus of the season.

On Monday, NBC 5 spoke with Rebekah Knapp, of Flower Mound, who said she spent eight days in a Flower Mound hospital, where she said doctors first diagnosed her with viral meningitis and then later West Nile virus.

"I felt very dizzy, so flu-ish, but very dizzy and then just flu-like symptoms," said Knapp.

Knapp suspects she was bitten by a mosquito carrying West Nile in her own backyard when she went outside to garden without wearing any repellent.

The Denton County Health Department does not release identifying information about people fighting West Nile, so it is not clear whether Knapp's is the case confirmed on Friday.

Flower Mound has collected a mosquito sample that tested positive for West Nile virus in the 4000 block of Ashburton Way, which is the eighth positive mosquito sample this year in Flower Mound.

Crews will spray the approximate one-half square-mile radius surrounding the 4000 Ashburton Way on Monday, Aug. 31, through Wednesday, Sept. 2, from between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.

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.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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