A lady in Dallas County, Texas, has died after being recognized with West Nile virus.
The affected person, whose title and age weren’t launched, contracted a extreme neuroinvasive type of the illness, based on a Tuesday press launch from the Dallas County Well being and Human Providers (DCHHS).
The feminine affected person had “underlying well being points,” officers acknowledged.
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This was the county’s first West Nile demise in 2024.
“We’re deeply saddened by this loss,” stated Dr. Philip Huang, director of DCHHS, within the launch.
For the reason that West Nile virus first entered the U.S. in 1999, it has turn into the main reason behind mosquito-borne illness within the nation, based on the CDC. (iStock)
“This heartbreaking tragedy underscores the crucial significance of safeguarding in opposition to mosquito bites, which may transmit a number of illnesses, together with West Nile virus.”
What to find out about West Nile
For the reason that West Nile virus first entered the U.S. in 1999, it has turn into the main reason behind mosquito-borne illness within the nation, based on the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention (CDC).
Usually, the West Nile virus — a flavivirus in the identical household as yellow fever, dengue fever, Japanese encephalitis and the Zika virus — is unfold when Culex mosquitoes chew contaminated birds after which chew folks and different animals, per the CDC’s web site.
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The virus isn’t transmitted by consuming or dealing with contaminated animals or birds — neither is it unfold by bodily contact, coughing or sneezing.
A overwhelming majority — round 80% — of the individuals who contract the virus won’t expertise any signs, the CDC states on its web site.
The West Nile virus — a flavivirus in the identical household as yellow fever, dengue fever, Japanese encephalitis and the Zika virus — is unfold when Culex mosquitoes chew contaminated birds after which chew folks and different animals. (iStock)
“It causes a rash and different signs, together with swollen lymph nodes, which different viruses in its class don’t exhibit,” Dr. Marc Siegel, senior medical analyst for Fox Information and medical professor of medication at NYU Langone Medical Heart, instructed Fox Information Digital.
“It solely impacts the nervous system 1% of the time and is never deadly.”
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Round one in 5 folks will develop febrile sickness, which is marked by a fever together with physique aches, headache, joint ache, diarrhea, rash and/or vomiting.Â
These signs often go away on their very own, however some folks might have lingering weak point and fatigue months after an infection.
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In uncommon instances — about one in each 150 contaminated folks — the virus can result in critical circumstances affecting the nervous system, resembling encephalitis (irritation of the mind) or meningitis (irritation of the membranes that encompass the mind and spinal twine), the CDC states on its web site.
Round one in 5 folks will develop febrile sickness, which is marked by a fever together with physique aches, headache, joint ache, diarrhea, rash and/or vomiting. (iStock)
Those that develop critical sickness might expertise headache, stiff neck, excessive fever, disorientation, imaginative and prescient loss, muscle weak point, convulsions, tremors, coma or paralysis, which happen when there may be viral an infection of the central nervous system.Â
Amongst individuals who have this invasive type of the sickness, round 10% will die.
“It impacts the nervous system 1% of the time and is never deadly.”
Whereas anybody can doubtlessly develop extreme sickness, the highest-risk teams embrace these over 60 years of age, individuals who have had organ transplants and people with diabetes, most cancers, hypertension, kidney illness, immune issues and different sure medical circumstances.
“The virus’ results may be fairly critical within the aged,” Siegel famous.
Prognosis and remedy
Those that suppose they may have been contaminated with WNV needs to be assessed by a well being care supplier, the CDC states.
Prognosis of the an infection may be made based mostly on analysis of signs, current publicity to mosquitoes and testing of blood or spinal fluid.
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Well being care suppliers will sometimes suggest treating signs with over-the-counter ache drugs and getting loads of relaxation and fluids.
Those that expertise extreme sickness might must be hospitalized for supportive care.
When spending time outdoor, it’s endorsed that individuals apply insect repellent containing DEET or different EPA-approved substances. (iStock)
As of Aug. 6, there have been 103 West Nile virus instances within the U.S. throughout 26 states, per the CDC.
Sixty-eight of these instances had been neuroinvasive (extreme).
Stopping the virus
There may be presently no vaccine for West Nile virus.
“The virus may be contained by public well being measures together with extra insect repellent with DEET, longer sleeves and fewer stagnant water in our backyards,” Siegel stated.
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Attempting to kill grownup mosquitoes by spreading an excessive amount of insecticide may be problematic, the physician warned.Â
“Animals, folks with bronchial asthma and bugs that might in any other case kill the mosquitoes are affected.”
Officers suggest eliminating standing water to forestall mosquitoes from breeding. (iStock)
Dallas County well being officers are urging native residents to take steps to guard themselves amid excessive mosquito exercise, emphasizing the significance of the “4 Ds” outlined beneath.
DEET: When spending time outdoor, folks ought to apply insect repellent containing DEET or different EPA-approved substances.
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Gown: Decrease uncovered pores and skin by sporting lengthy, free clothes, officers suggest.
Drain: Eliminating any standing water will help stop mosquitoes from breeding.
Daybreak to nightfall: These at highest threat can decrease out of doors time throughout peak mosquito hours (simply earlier than and after sundown, and within the early morning earlier than dawn).
