Denton County Public Health (DCPH) reported the first human case of West Nile virus in Denton County this year Friday.
Dallas County reported its first and only case of West Nile virus on Aug. 6, and Tarrant County has reported two cases of West Nile virus, including one death.
"As mosquito traps throughout Denton County have become more active over the summer, we are now seeing our first human case of West Nile Virus," stated Juan Rodriguez, DCPH Assistant Director and Chief Epidemiologist. "We ask community members to take preventive actions to lower their risk of contracting a mosquito-borne illness."
People age 50 and older run a higher risk of developing a severe infection.
About 20% of infected people will develop a fever with other symptoms such as headache, body aches, joint pains, vomiting, diarrhea or rash. Most people with this type of disease recover completely, but fatigue and weakness can last for weeks or months.
DCPH recommended the following steps to minimize the risk of contracting West Nile virus: draining standing water, dressing in long sleeves and pants while outside and defending yourself using repellent.
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
