The Denton County Health Department (DCHD) has investigated and confirmed the first human case of West Nile virus for 2012, found in the Lantana community of unincorporated Denton County.
Due to patient confidentiality, DCHD would not release further information about the case.
This was the first case of West Nile virus in the county since 2010.
“This report is a little earlier than we normally see West Nile virus in Denton County”, said DCHD Chief Epidemiologist Juan Rodriguez. “Single reports of early onset of human illness do not necessarily indicate that an unusually heavy West Nile virus season is ahead of us.”
Rodriguez said that it is always a good idea to take the proper precautions to reduce their risk of getting the mosquito-borne virus by remembering the four D’s: Drain standing water, Dress in pants and long sleeves, Apply an insect repellent that contains DEET, and Stay indoors at dusk and dawn, when mosquitoes are most active.
“Not every mosquito carries the virus, and less than 1 percent of the bites from mosquitoes that do have the virus actually cause serious illness,” said Rodriguez. “But we have had West Nile illness in Denton County, and it’s a good idea to reduce the risk by eliminating mosquito hatching grounds and by minimizing exposure to mosquitoes.”
DCHD has partnered with Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) to develop an extensive West Nile virus task force to provide West Nile education around Denton County.
“RSVP has volunteers that are ready and trained to present this important information,” said Diana Corona, Executive Director of RSVP. Contact RSVP at 940-383-1508.
More information is available on the Denton County Health Department West Nile virus website.
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