FIRST TEXAS CASE OF WEST NILE VIRUS THIS YEAR CONFIRMED IN BRAZOS COUNTY

  

Officials from the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) have reported the first case of West Nile Virus in Texas this year in Brazos County.

The agency said the illness in the Brazos County resident was confirmed on June 24^th.

DSHS Commissioner Dr. Jennifer Shuford said Texans need to be aware that mosquitoes transmit disease, and some of those illnesses, like West Nile and dengue, can be severe.  She said taking proactive steps to prevent mosquito bites and eliminate mosquito breeding areas around homes can reduce the risk of mosquito-borne illness.

West Nile is transmitted by bites from infected mosquitoes.  While a majority of people exposed to the virus, about 80 percent, do not get sick, others may develop symptoms like fever, nausea, headache, fatigue, and muscle and joint pain.  In severe cases where the patient is impacted by West Nile neuroinvasive disease, the exposure could lead to disorientation, neck stiffness, tremors, paralysis, convulsions and even death.

Anyone who experiences symptoms of West Nile is urged to contact their health care provider and mention any exposure to mosquitoes.

To reduce exposure to mosquito bites and infection, DSHS recommends:

• Wearing long sleeves and pants.
• Applying EPA-registered insect repellent.
• Keeping doors and windows closed or installing window screens.
• Removing standing water that accumulates outdoors in places like trash cans, buckets, clogged rain gutters and plant pots.

In 2024, Texas reported 455 cases of West Nile Virus and 56 deaths.  Between 2020-2024, Texas has had 929 cases of West Nile and 122 deaths.  In much of Texas, mosquitoes remain active into November and December.