First Case of West Nile Virus Reported in East Texas

ANGELINA COUNTY — The first 2014 case of West Nile Virus in East Texas has been confirmed. According to the Texas Department of State Health Services September 9 report, one case of West Nile neuroinvasive disease (WNND) was reported in Angelina County. No other information surrounding the case was provided in the report. DSHS has confirmed 70 cases of human West Nile illness, including one death, in Texas this year.

West Nile is a mosquito-borne virus. There are two forms of the illness, West Nile neuroinvasive disease (WNND) and West Nile fever (WN fever). The symptoms of severe infection from West Nile neuroinvasive disease include headache, high fever, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness and paralysis. West Nile fever is the milder form of the illness. Symptoms include fever, headache, body aches, and occasionally a skin rash on the trunk of the body and swollen lymph glands.

DSHS reminds Texans to reduce the risk of exposure by eliminating standing water and other mosquito breeding areas; making sure door, porch and window screens are in good condition; and using a repellent that contains DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, IR3535 or para-menthane-diol products when outdoors.