Tarrant County health officials said Friday that another case of West Nile virus has been reported.
A Bedford woman in her 50s has been diagnosed with the neuroinvasive form of the disease. It is the most severe form of the virus and affects the nerve system.
Further information on the patient is not expected to be released for privacy reasons.
Fewer than 1 percent of those infected with West Nile virus experience the neuroinvasive form of the illness. Most people bitten by a West Nile virus-infected mosquito will not show any symptoms.
The case is the seventh reported in Tarrant County this mosquito season. Two patients have died, a south Fort Worth man in his 30s and a south Arlington man in his late 70s. Both patients had underlying medical conditions and were diagnosed with West Nile virus neuroinvasive disease.
The county's other cases include two Fort Worth women with West Nile virus fever and a Keller man and a Fort Worth woman with the neuroinvasive form of West Nile virus.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states, "The easiest and best way to avoid WNV is to prevent mosquito bites.
- When you are outdoors, use insect repellent containing an EPA-registered active ingredient. Follow the directions on the package.
- Many mosquitoes are most active at dusk and dawn. Be sure to use insect repellent and wear long sleeves and pants at these times or consider staying indoors during these hours.
- Make sure you have good screens on your windows and doors to keep mosquitoes out.
- Get rid of mosquito breeding sites by emptying standing water from flower pots, buckets and barrels. Change the water in pet dishes and replace the water in bird baths weekly. Drill holes in tire swings so water drains out. Keep children's wading pools empty and on their sides when they aren't being used."
