First Human Case Of West Nile Virus Reported In WilCo

WILLIAMSON COUNTY, TX — Health officials reported the first human case of West Nile virus in Williamson County, officials said Friday.

The Williamson County and Cities Health District confirmed the case of the neuroinvasive disease in the county, adding the victim is a resident in his or her 40s living in southern Williamson County. The gender of the patient was not disclosed.

So far this season, officials said, a dozen mosquito trap samples have tested positive for West Nile virus in Williamson County so far. Ground spraying occurred last week in Georgetown, Texas, and is scheduled to occur again for the next three nights in the same area starting tonight.

Additional active positive traps have been reported in the Southwest Williamson County Regional Park/New Hope Drive area in Leander, and a new positive trap site was reported today near the Brushy Creek Community Center, near the intersection of Great Oaks Drive and Racine Trail in Round Rock, officials added.

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“The report of the first human case of West Nile virus in Williamson County this year is a stark reminder to the community of the need to take steps to avoid mosquito bites and to reduce mosquito populations,” Dr. Lori Palazzo, WCCHD Medical Director and Williamson County Health Authority, said in a prepared statement. “The simplest way to avoid exposure to mosquito-borne diseases is to avoid mosquito bites by protecting yourself with insect repellant each time you are outdoors, especially at dusk and dawn, and by preventing mosquito breeding areas around your home.”

Symptoms of West Nile virus infection may include fever, headache, and body aches, skin rash on the trunk of the body, and swollen lymph nodes. Those age 50 and older and/or with compromised immune systems are at a higher risk for severe symptoms, which may include stiffness, disorientation, coma, tremors, vision loss, paralysis, and in rare cases, death. West Nile virus cannot be passed from human to human, infection occurs from a bite of an infected mosquito.
WCCHD strongly encourages everyone to remain vigilant about protecting themselves from mosquito bites and to prevent mosquito breeding on their personal property.

Mosquitoes breed in standing water, only needing as little as one teaspoon to thrive. By draining all sources of standing water on properties, officials said residents can measurably reduce the number of places mosquitoes can lay their eggs and breed.

What you can do

As part of its Fight the Bite campaign the Health District recommends the 3 Ds of mosquito safety:

• Drain standing water in flowerpots, pet dishes, or clogged gutters so mosquitoes don’t have a place to breed and treat water that can’t be drained;
• defend by using an EPA-approved insect repellent; and
• dress in long sleeves and pants when outdoors.

For more information, go to the WCCHD website at www.wcchd.org or visit the Texas Department of State Health Services West Nile website at txwestnile.org.