The Denton County Health Department has investigated and confirmed three additional cases of West Nile disease, bringing this year’s total to six, officials said Monday.
The three new cases reside in Lantana, Highland Village and Denton.
Although some cases of West Nile virus can be quite serious, most exposures result in minor symptoms, according to the health department.
There are two different severities of West Nile virus; West Nile fever and the more serious neuroinvasive disease, according to Betsy Haggard from the county health department.
“In these three new cases, one has neuroinvasive disease and the other two have West Nile fever. All three are recovering at home,” said Haggard.
The West Nile season traditionally runs through September, but that all depends on the weather.
“We could see the disease anytime during the year that mosquitoes are active,” said Haggard.
Health department officials continue to urge residents to take the proper precautions to reduce their risk of getting the mosquito-borne West Nile virus by remembering the four D’s: drain, dress, DEET and dusk/dawn.
Residents should:
• Drain standing water around their homes to reduce mosquito hatching grounds.
• Dress in pants and long sleeves when outside in mosquito-infested areas, but avoid becoming too hot.
• Apply an insect repellent that contains DEET (N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide) to exposed skin and to clothing when outdoors.
• Stay indoors at dusk and dawn, when mosquitoes are most active.
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. If you are interested in the West Nile education, contact RSVP at 940-383-1508.
More information is available on the Denton County Health Department West Nile virus website at http://dentoncounty.com/heart/wnv.
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