EL PASO, TX – The Department of Public Health (DPH) of El Paso, Texas confirmed its second case of West Nile Virus (WNV) neuroinvasive disease in the city, and called on the community to maintain preventive measures.
According to health authorities, the case corresponds to a man approximately 30 years of age who contracted WNV and developed neuroinvasive disease and is currently recovering in the hospital.
Symptoms of WNV infection are fever, headache, fatigue, body aches, nausea, vomiting and swollen lymph nodes. DPH noted that 8 out of 10 people infected with WNV will not develop symptoms.
However, 1 in 5 infected people develop West Nile fever, an illness that includes fever and other symptoms such as body aches, joint pain, headache, or rash. While approximately 1 in 150 infected people develop a severe illness affecting the central nervous system, of which only 1 in 10 cases is fatal.
Among the recommendations made by the DPH to “fight the bite” of the mosquito and avoid contracting WNV is the use of insect repellents containing DEET when outdoors; as well as wearing long sleeves, long pants and socks when outdoors.
In addition, it was reported that although WNV-associated mosquitoes can be active throughout the day, residents should be especially careful during mosquito “peak biting” hours (dusk to dawn) or consider avoiding outdoor activities during these hours.
It is also important to drain standing water from flower pots, gutters, buckets, pool covers, pet water dishes, and bird baths. Also, after rain or watering lawns, residents should “dump and throw away” standing water found outside to prevent mosquito breeding.
Last July 19, the City of El Paso reported its first case of WNV, in a 50-year-old man who had to be hospitalized.
“Severe West Nile Virus Central Nervous System disease is extremely dangerous and can result in potential complications, disability or even death. The public should continue to be cautious and decrease the risk of becoming infected with WNV,” said City-County Health Authority Hector Ocaranza.
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