New Case Of West Nile Virus Confirmed In Montgomery County

SPRING, TX – Montgomery County officials have confirmed the county’s second case of West Nile virus in 2018. County officials said Tuesday that a man in his 60s was hospitalized with a confirmed case of the mosquito-borne virus.

The first case was reported in July with a man in his 40s infected with the virus. The man has since recovered, officials said. Montgomery County Commissioner James Noack’s Mosquito Abatement Department continues to take measures by spraying areas in south Montgomery County.

“Our office is working diligently to minimize the risk of contracting a mosquito-borne illness,” Noack said in a statement from his office. “The Mosquito Abatement Team is coordinating with the Montgomery County Public Health District on this treatment effort.”

The Mosquito Abatement Team tests mosquitoes throughout southern areas of the county for West Nile virus and sprays in areas where positive tests are confirmed. Treatment includes spraying streets, rights of way, storm sewers and ditches, among other mosquito-breeding areas.

The most effective way to avoid West Nile virus and the Zika virus is to prevent mosquito bites and take precautions such as:

• Using repellents that contain DEET, picaridin, or IR3535.
• Wear long sleeves, pants and socks when outdoors.
• Many mosquitoes are most active from dusk to dawn. It is good to consider staying indoors during these hours.
• Empty any standing water from flower pots, gutters, buckets, pool covers, pet water dishes, discarded tires, birdbaths and any other items holding water on a regular basis.
• Install or repair screens on windows and doors to keep mosquitoes outside.

People typically develop symptoms between three and 14 days after they are bitten by an infected mosquito. According to the Center for Disease Control, about 80 percent of people who are infected won’t show any symptoms.

Milder symptoms of the West Nile Virus include:

• Fever
• Headache
• Body aches
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Swollen lymph glands
• Skin rash on the chest, stomach and back.

Serious symptoms of the West Nile virus include:

• High fever
• Headache
• Neck stiffness
• Disorientation
• Coma
• Tremors
• Seizures or paralysis.

(For more news and information like this, subscribe to Patch for free. If you have an iPhone, click here to get the free Patch iPhone app; download the free Patch Android app here.)

Image: Shutterstock

Send your news tips and story ideas to bryan.kirk@patch.com