WEST NILE VIRUS CASE CONFIRMED IN CAMERON

(CAMERON)  Milam County’s first ever West Nile Virus case in a human was confirmed this week with the Diagnosis of the disease in a Cameron woman.  Although the disease can be fatal, the victim is recovering after becoming ill back in July.  She has since returned to work.  The confirmation that it was indeed West Nile was received Tuesday by the Milam County Health Department.

According to Rod Holcombe of the Health Department, symptoms of the West Nile are among others, extremely high fever, tremors, nauseous and vomiting, headache and muscle weakness. 

West Nile is not spread human to human.  In this case, an infected mosquito transmitted the disease.   Holcombe said the mosquitoes that carry the disease, are grown around dingy filthy water.  The mosquito feeds infected birds, and will bite a human.    Most people infected with WNV will not show symptoms. Some, however, may have a fever, headache, body aches, and swollen lymph nodes. A small number may develop encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) or meningitis (inflammation of the spinal cord). Although rare, death can occur.

Reduce risk of getting the mosquito-borne West Nile virus by remembering the four Ds: drain, dress, DEET and dusk/dawn.

1. Drain standing water around homes to reduce mosquito hatching grounds.

2. Dress in pants and long sleeves when outside in mosquito-infested areas, but avoid becoming too hot.

3. Apply insect repellent sparingly to exposed skin. An effective repellent may contain 35% DEET. Repellents may bother the eyes and mouth, so try to not apply them to the hands of children.   Also Spray clothing with insect repellents containing permethrin or DEET, as mosquitoes may bite through thin clothing.

4. Stay indoors at dusk and dawn, when mosquitoes are most active. 

Other helpful hints include

5. It does not appear that a person can get WNV from handling live or dead infected birds. However, use gloves or double plastic bags when handling any dead animals, including birds.

6. If you leave your house windows open, make sure they have screens.

7. And do not allow water to stagnate in old tires, flowerpots, trash containers, swimming pools, birdbaths, pet bowls, etc.

Not every mosquito bite causes illness. Very few mosquitoes carry the virus, and less than one percent of the bites from mosquitoes that do have the virus actually cause serious illness.