HOUSTON – As rain continues to move across the Houston area, health officials are warning that the wet weather is also creating the perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes.
The Texas Department of State Health Services confirmed the first human case of West Nile virus in Texas this year was reported in Harris County.
According to DSHS, the resident was diagnosed with West Nile neuroinvasive disease — the most serious form of the virus that can affect the brain and nervous system.
“West Nile and other mosquito-borne illnesses are a fact of life in Texas in the warmer months, and all Texans should take precautions against mosquito bites to stay safe and healthy,” DSHS Commissioner Dr. Jennifer Shuford said in a statement.
Health officials say most people infected with West Nile virus never develop symptoms. However, about 20% can experience what’s known as West Nile fever.
Common West Nile symptoms include:
- Fever
- Headache
- Body aches
- Fatigue
- Rash
Less than 1% of infected people develop neuroinvasive disease, which can cause severe neurological complications including:
- Tremors
- Convulsions
- Neck stiffness
- Paralysis
- Disorientation
State health leaders say preventing mosquito bites is the best way to reduce the risk of infection.
Affordable ways to protect yourself and your family
Experts recommend:
- Dumping standing water around your home
- Cleaning clogged gutters
- Emptying buckets, flower pots and kiddie pools
- Keeping pet bowls and bird baths clean
- Wearing long sleeves and pants outdoors
- Using insect repellent with DEET or picaridin
- Repairing window and door screens
- Keeping grass and bushes trimmed
Mosquitoes are especially active during the early morning and evening hours.
According to DSHS, Texas has reported 976 total West Nile cases over the last five years, including 106 deaths linked to the virus.
Officials also warned Texans to continue taking mosquito precautions while traveling internationally, especially to tropical and subtropical regions where illnesses like dengue, chikungunya and Zika are more common.
More information about mosquito-borne illnesses can be found on the Texas Department of State Health Services website.