PALESTINE —
Due to the warm winter and recent rains, particularly in the North Texas region, there has been a higher than usual number of human West Nile cases in Texas this year.
While no cases or fatalities have been reported in Anderson County as yet, reports are still close to home with Smith County (Tyler), Henderson County (Athens) and Navarro County each reporting one case of the disease.
The North Texas counties of Dallas and Tarrant (Fort Worth) have reported some of the highest numbers, at 167 and 135 total cases, respectively, and 10 fatalities in Dallas County alone.
The Northeast Texas Public Health District (NET Health) in Tyler is urging the East Texas community to take precautions to reduce the risk of contracting the mosquito-borne illness.
“People should use insect repellent, containing DEET, when outdoors and avoid going outside at dusk and dawn,” George T. Robert Jr., CEO of NET Health, reported. “Humans can contract West Nile virus from a mosquito bite. Infected mosquitoes get the virus from feeding on infected birds and mammals.”
The milder form of the illness is West Nile fever, with symptoms including: fever, headache, muscle and bone aches, nausea and drowsiness. People with the milder form of illness typically recover on their own, although symptoms may last for several weeks.
“Up to 80 percent of people infected with West Nile virus will have no symptoms and will recover on their own,” Roberts said. “However, the virus can cause serious illness or death.”
West Nile neuroinvasive disease symptoms include stiff neck, visual problems, body tremors, mental confusion, memory loss and seizures.
The intensity of West Nile virus activity in Texas fluctuates from year to year and depends on a variety of factors including the weather, the numbers of birds and mosquitoes that maintain and spread the virus and human behavior.
The season can last up until the first hard freeze of the year.
There are no medications to treat or vaccines to prevent West Nile virus infection. People over 50 years old and those with compromised immune systems are at a higher risk of becoming seriously ill when they become infected with the virus.
“If people have symptoms that cause them concern, they should contact their healthcare provider,” Roberts said.
To reduce exposure to West Nile virus:
• Use an approved insect repellent every time you go outside and follow the instructions on the label. Approved repellents are those that contain DEET, picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus.
• Regularly drain standing water, including water collected in empty cans, tires, buckets, clogged rain gutters and saucers under potted plants. Mosquitoes breed in stagnant water.
• Wear long sleeves and pants at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active.
• Use air conditioning or make sure there are screens on all doors and windows to keep mosquitoes from entering the home.
For current confirmed human case counts, please visit our website at www.healthyeasttx.org and click on the West Nile Virus link.
Mary Rainwater may be reached via e-mail at mrainwater@palestineherald.com
Local News
NET Health urges precautions to reduce West Nile exposure
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