Denton County confirms sixth human West Nile Virus case

Denton County Public Health on Tuesday afternoon reported the county's sixth human case of West Nile virus this year. The agency said the person lives in the city of Denton and released no other details.

Fall weather has been slow to arrive in North Texas, and mosquitoes remain active. Mosquito samples in the county first tested positive for the virus back in May, and the county's first human case of the year was reported in July.

"Even though temperatures are decreasing, preventing mosquito-borne illnesses remains a priority," said Juan Rodriguez, the department's chief epidemiologist and assistant director. "Protecting ourselves from mosquito bites is a preventive practice easily done before heading outdoors."

How to lower the risk

The health department recommends:

• Draining standing water around homes and neighborhoods, including bird baths, flowerpots and clogged gutters, where mosquitoes breed. For water that cannot be drained, BTI briquettes, often sold as mosquito dunks, can be used.
• Wearing long sleeves and long pants outdoors and spraying thin clothing with repellent.
• Using an EPA-registered insect repellent with an active ingredient such as DEET, picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus.

Mosquito maps and other updates are posted on Denton County Public Health's West Nile virus web page.

Sources

Cross Timbers Gazette