While Anderson County continues to remain West Nile Virus-free — with no official reports of the disease — the statewide epidemic is making its way closer to home.
The Texas Department of State Health Services reports that, as of Thursday, there were 973 confirmed human cases of West Nile illness in Texas so far this year, including 37 deaths.
Nearby Cherokee County (Jacksonville) has reported four cases, with Henderson County (Athens) reporting one case and Navarro County (Corsicana) reporting seven cases. No deaths have been reported in those counties.
The highest number of reported West Nile cases remain in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, with 268 cases in Dallas County, 200 reported cases in Tarrant County (Fort Worth) and 108 cases in Denton County. The death toll in those counties are at 12, four and six, respectively.
According to the DSHS, West Nile virus is a mosquito-borne illness with two forms — the more severe West Nile neuroinvasive disease (WNND) and West Nile fever (WN fever).
The symptoms of WNND include headache, high fever, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness and paralysis. West Nile fever symptoms include fever, headache, body aches and occasionally a skin rash on the trunk of the body and swollen lymph glands.
Up to 80 percent of people infected with West Nile virus will have no symptoms and will recover on their own, however, some cases can cause serious illness or death.
People over 50 and those with weakened immune systems are at a higher risk of becoming ill if they become infected with the virus.
DSHS reminds Texans to reduce the risk of exposure by eliminating standing water and other mosquito breeding areas; making sure door, porch and window screens are in good condition; dressing in long sleeves and long pants when outdoors; staying indoors at dusk and dawn, when mosquitoes are most active; and using a repellent that contains DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus or IR3535 when outdoors.
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Mary Rainwater may be reached via e-mail at mrainwater@palestineherald.com
Local News
Anderson County still free of West Nile cases
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