Two Human Cases of West Nile Virus Confirmed
The Corpus Christi – Nueces County Public Health District reports that it has received confirmation of two human West Nile Virus (WNV) infections from the Texas Department of State Health Services. These are the first two cases confirmed of West Nile Virus identified in Nueces County for the year 2016.
The patients are both between 50-60 years of age were hospitalized, discharged, and are recovering. For privacy reasons, the Health District will not be releasing any further information regarding the patients.
There have been 11 mosquito pools that tested positive for West Nile Virus in Nueces County for 2016, and one positive mosquito pool for Saint Louis Encephalitis Virus.
West Nile Virus is a disease spread by the bite of an infected mosquito, rather than by person-to-person contact. Annette Rodriguez, M.P.H., Director of Public Health advises residents to take precautions to help lower their risk. “Residents should continue to do their part by avoiding outdoor activities and wearing mosquito repellent with DEET at dusk and dawn, which differs from the day time activity seen in ZIKA carrying mosquitos,” states Mrs Rodriguez. Furthermore, Dr. William Burgin, Local Health Authority, reminds citizens to “dispose of old tires, avoid water running into the storm drains when watering lawns, and drain bases of flower pots, bird baths, and containers where water might accumulate.”
Symptoms of WNV may include:
- fever
- headache
- tiredness
- body aches
- confusion
- occasionally a skin rash, sometimes on the trunk of the body
- swollen lymph glands
- illness can be as short as a few days or last several weeks
If persons develop symptoms, they should see their physician for appropriate blood testing for confirmation of the illness. People over the age of 50 are more likely to develop serious symptoms of WNV if they do get sick and should take special care to avoid mosquito bites.