First Case of West Nile Virus in Texas in 2017 Confirmed

As Texans were focused on the Zika Virus, the first case of mosquito borne West Nile Virus has been confirmed in Texas, News Radio 1200 WOAI reports.

The patient, a woman in Montgomery County near Houston, came down with the virus from a mosquito bite in late April, according to Chris Van Deusen of the Texas Department of State Health Services.

"She had the neurologic form of the disease, and that is the most serious of the forms of the West Nile Virus that people can get," he said.

“Diseases like Zika and West Nile remain threats in Texas, and we need everyone to do their part to protect themselves, their families and their communities,” said DSHS Commissioner Dr. John Hellerstedt. “These are simple steps, and if people take them consistently, they will go a long way toward reducing the number of cases of either disease transmitted in Texas.”

Van Deusen says unlike Zika, which is mainly dangerous to pregnant women and their unborn children, West Nile can cause very serious illnesses.

"Disorientation, it can even in very serious cases cause coma or death."

It can also lead to permanent paralysis.18 people died in Texas in 2016 out of the 370 human cases that were confirmed across the state.

Van Deusen says about 20% of those who get the disease from a mosquito bite will come down with symptoms.As with Zika, officials recommending draining standing water to stop the spread of Zika, always use a mosquito repellant when going outdoors, and cover exposed skin when outdoors.

IMAGE' GETTY


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