Dallas County health officials confirm the first death related to West Nile virus for the 2016 season in North Texas.
The victim – a person in their 60s – lived in the 75006 ZIP code in Carrollton and was previously diagnosed with the West Nile neuroinvasive disease, officials said in a press release Monday afternoon.
No other identifying information was released due to medical confidentiality reasons.
Symptoms of West Nile neuroinvasive disease include neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness and paralysis. The neuroinvasive form of the disease can be deadly.
The city of Carrollton said it conducted ground-based spraying in the area where the victim lived on Tuesday, July 19, which was the same day the illness was reported.
The same area was retreated on Aug. 3 and 4 after another positive test was confirmed nearby, the city said. The positive mosquito sample was collected in the area located between Belt Line Road, Broadway Street, Keller Springs Road and Josey Lane.
- 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.
