SAN ANTONIO (Texas News Radio) — Three new cases of West Nile Virus have been reported across Texas.
The Texas Department of State Health Services says the cases were reported by local health departments in Austin, Dallas and Galveston.
Last year, there were 135 cases that resulted in six deaths.
Officials suggest people take the following steps to prevent contracting the disease:
- Regularly apply EPA-registered insect repellent when outside.
- Dump all standing water to prevent mosquitoes from laying eggs.
- Use air conditioning and/or make sure all screens are in proper condition to keep skeeters out.
- Wear long sleeves and pants to help prevent bites.
Most people infected don’t get sick. The department says about 20 percent develop West Nile fever, which can be accompanied by headache, muscle and joint aches, nausea, diarrhea and fatigue. Most people with this form of the disease recover with no issues.
Less than one percent suffer from the more severe West Nile neuroinvasive disease, in which the virus infects the nervous system. Those symptoms include neck stiffness, muscle weakness, vision loss, tremors, convulsions, disorientation, coma and paralysis. It often takes months to recover and one in ten die from this disease.