Texas' first West Nile case of the year confirmed in Brazos County

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The first case of West Nile illness in Texas this year has been confirmed in a Brazos County resident, according to state health officials.

In a press release Thursday, the Texas Department of State Health Services said the person was diagnosed with West Nile fever on June 24. Last year, 455 cases of West Nile disease were reported across Texas, resulting in 56 deaths.

"Texans should be aware that mosquitoes transmit disease, and some of these illnesses, like West Nile and dengue, can be severe," DSHS Commissioner Jennifer Shuford said. "But taking steps to prevent mosquito bites and eliminating mosquito breeding areas around homes are proactive measures that can reduce the risk of mosquito-borne illness."

DSHS said 80% of people exposed to the virus — being bitten by an infected mosquito — do not get sick, but some people develop symptoms like fever, nausea, headache, fatigue, muscle pain and joint pain.

Less than 1% of people exposed develop West Nile neuroinvasive disease, which affects the nervous system. The disease can cause disorientation, neck stiffness, tremors, paralysis, convulsions and death.

If you experience any West Nile symptoms, you're urged to contact your health care provider and mention any exposure to mosquitoes.

How to protect against mosquito bites and prevent mosquito breeding:

• Wear long sleeves and pants
• Apply insect repellent
• Keep doors and windows closed or install window screens to keep mosquitoes out
• Remove standing water where mosquitoes lay their eggs, such as in toys, tires, trash cans, buckets, plant pots and clogged rain gutters
• Change water in pet dishes daily
• Rinse and scrub vases and other indoor water containers weekly
• Change water in bird baths and wading pools several times a week
• Use mosquito dunks with larvacide in any water that can't be emptied or covered
• Keep pools and hot tubs properly chlorinated and debris-free
• Treat front and back door areas with residual insecticides if mosquitoes are in abundance nearby
• Consider pesticide applications for vegetation around the home if problems persist