The Palestine Herald, Palestine, Texas

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September 5, 2012

Officials report 1 'possible' West Nile case

By CHERIL VERNON Palestine Herald-Press

PALESTINE — Anderson County has one “possible” case of West Nile Virus, according to local health officials.

“There has been a possible case of West Nile Virus in Anderson County,” City of Palestine Emergency Management Coordinator Schelby Wells said Tuesday afternoon. “Last week, it was reported that it was confirmed, but I came back to work today and got an email that said the case is not yet confirmed.”

If the case is confirmed, it will be reported to the Texas Department of State Health Services.

The City of Palestine has been proactive to keep the epidemic at bay — spraying several areas within the city limits, according to Wells.

The Texas Department of State Health Services reports that, as of Tuesday, there were 1,014 confirmed human cases of West Nile illness in Texas so far this year, including 40 deaths.

Nearby Cherokee County (Jacksonville) has reported four cases, with Henderson County (Athens) reporting two cases, Navarro County (Corsicana) reporting seven cases and Freestone County (Fairfield) reporting one case. No deaths have been reported in those counties.

The highest number of reported West Nile cases remain in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, with 285 cases in Dallas County, 209 reported cases in Tarrant County (Fort Worth) and 122 cases in Denton County. The death toll in those counties are at 13, four and two, 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.

For more information about where spraying has occurred in Palestine city limits, call Wells at 903-731-8465 or e-mail swells@palestine-tx.org.

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