West Nile Virus

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.

Visit http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/idcu/disease/arboviral/westNile/ for more information.