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Last year Texas endured a record-setting outbreak of West Nile Virus – spread by mosquitoes - recording 1869 cases and 89 death (see DVBID: 2012 Record Number Of West Nile Fatalities). While the entire country saw record numbers of WNV in 2012, roughly 1/3rd of all cases were diagnosed in Texas.
Nationwide, the numbers came in at:
Total cases 5,674 cases
Neuroinvasive cases 2,873 (51%)
Mild cases 2,801 (49%)
Deaths 286
Neuroinvasive cases (which present with meningitis, encephalitis, or flaccid Paralysis) are severe enough that they result in hospitalization and diagnosis, and so they are considered the best indicator of the scope of each year’s epidemic.
Most people only end up with a mild, often sub-clinical infection, and never know they were infected.
For every mild case diagnosed, there may be another 50 cases that go unreported.
Yesterday the Texas Department of State Health Services released two statements on West Nile threat; one announcing their first diagnosed case of the year, and another warning that people need to start taking mosquito precautions now that summer is upon us.
Texas Confirms First West Nile Case of the Season
News Release
May 24, 2013The Texas Department of State Health Services today confirmed the state’s first case of West Nile illness of the season. DSHS is urging people to take precautions to reduce the risk of contracting West Nile virus, a mosquito-borne illness.
West Nile illness was confirmed in an adult male from Anderson County. The patient is recovering from the neuroinvasive form of the disease. Additional details about the patient are not being released to protect the patient’s identity.
“This is a serious illness that can take a long-lasting toll,” said Dr. David Lakey, DSHS Commissioner. “Last season was unprecedented, with record numbers of cases and deaths reported in Texas. People need to do all they can to protect themselves from mosquito bites.”
Last year, Texas reported 1,868 human cases of West Nile illness, including 89 deaths.
State health officials said there is no way to predict the severity of this year’s season. 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.
DSHS Urges Precautions to Reduce West Nile Exposure
News Release
May 24, 2013As Memorial Day approaches and people are spending more time outdoors, the Texas Department of State Health Services urges people to take precautions to reduce the risk of contracting West Nile virus, a mosquito-borne illness.
Last year, Texas reported 1,868 human cases of West Nile illness, including 89 deaths. State health officials said there is no way to predict the severity of this year’s season. 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.
To reduce exposure to West Nile virus:
- Use an approved insect repellent every time you go outside and follow the instructions on the label. Among the EPA-approved repellents are those that contain DEET, picaridin, IR3535 or oil of lemon eucalyptus.
- Regularly drain standing water, including water collecting in empty cans, tires, buckets, clogged rain gutters and saucers under potted plants. Mosquitoes that spread WNV 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.
Symptoms of the milder form of illness, West Nile fever, can include headache, fever, muscle and joint aches, nausea and fatigue. People with West Nile fever typically recover on their own, although symptoms may last for several weeks. Symptoms of the more serious form, West Nile neuroinvasive disease, can include those of West Nile fever plus neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness and paralysis. Up to 80 percent of people infected with the virus will have no symptoms.
Given its severity (and that of less common mosquito borne diseases in the U.S., like EEE, Dengue, SLEV), it makes sense to take steps to protect yourself and your family.
So today would be a good day to go around and look for likely breeding places in, and around your home. This should become a weekly habit – at least during mosquito season.
And to help you with warding off these pests, we’ve an interactive insect repellant search engine developed by the EPA that will that will allow you to input your needs and it will spit out the best repellants to use.
(click image to go to search engine)
