This information has been provided
from the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services.
There still continues to be a higher
than normal incidence of West Nile virus infection this year in Texas and
across the United States. To date, most
of the Texas cases have been located in the North Texas area. The incidence of West Nile virus activity in
Texas varies from year to year but it usually is more common in late summer to
early fall.
West Nile virus is spread to humans
through the bite of an infected mosquito.
About 80% of the people do not become ill when they are infected. However, about 20% will have mild symptoms
including fever, headaches and body aches.
Other individuals may experience skin rash and swollen lymph glands. The more severe infection known as West Nile
neuro-invasive disease is much less common (1 in 150 persons infected), and the
symptoms can include headache, high fever, neck stiffness, stupor,
disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, and/or paralysis. People older than age 50 and people with
weakened immune systems from chronic illnesses or transplants are at the greatest
risk for the more severe symptoms.
To review some precautions if you have
not heard them already:
·
Apply insect repellent
that contains DEET, picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus to exposed skin and
clothing.
·
Dress in long
pants and long sleeves if you need to be outside.
·
Avoid being
outdoors at peak mosquito times – around dawn and dusk.
·
Eliminate
standing water near your home and throughout your neighborhood to decrease the
breeding grounds.
