Dallas County Health and Human Services reported Friday the fourth human case of West Nile virus this year in Dallas County is a resident of the 75244 ZIP Code in Dallas.
"The confirmation of the fourth human case of the West Nile virus here in Dallas County this year is yet another reminder of the importance of avoiding mosquito bites," Dr. Philip Huang, director of DCHHS, said.
DCHHS reported the county's first death this year in a resident who contracted West Nile virus on Aug. 9.
The first and second reported human cases of West Nile in the county came on July 16 and Aug. 6, respectively.
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In 2020, Dallas County reported five deaths from West Nile, including a significant increase in a significant increase in WNV disease prevalence with 20 human cases and 498 positive mosquito tests.
No other information about the fourth human case was released for medical confidentiality and personal privacy reasons, the DCHHS said.
"The best way to avoid exposure to mosquito-borne diseases is to avoid mosquito bites by practicing the Four Ds," Huang said.
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Last week, Dallas County sprayed in several neighborhoods Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday or Friday nights due multiple mosquito samples that tested positive for West Nile.
For more information about spraying and to find whether your neighborhood has been sprayed, you can visit the DCHHS website here.
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
