15th West Nile Case Identified in El Paso
As of Thursday, the total number of West Nile Virus Cases in El Paso has reached 15, according to the City of El Paso Department of Public Health.
The latest case is that of a 51-year-old man who resides in the 79938 zip code. The City of El Paso Department of Public Health would like to remind the area citizens that the disease has been detected throughout the city and there is no way to positively determine where any of the cases were contracted.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):
Approximately 80 percent of people who are infected with WNV will not show any symptoms at all.
About one in 150 people infected with WNV will develop severe illness. The severe symptoms can include high fever, headache, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, vision loss, numbness and paralysis. These symptoms may last several weeks, and neurological effects may be permanent.
Up to 20 percent of the people who become infected have symptoms such as fever, headache, and body aches, nausea, vomiting, and sometimes swollen lymph glands or a skin rash on the chest, stomach and back. Symptoms can last for as short as a few days, though even healthy people have become sick for several weeks.
Because mosquitoes are the main source for transmitting the virus, the 4 D’s are ways to prevent mosquito bites and mosquito breeding, the Department reminds residents to avoid outdoor activities during these times dusk and dawn. If you are outside, cover up by wearing pants, long-sleeved shirts, shoes and socks. Drain standing water on the ground, water in tires, plastic containers, cans, kiddie pools or any other type of container. Use a mosquito repellent that contains DEET (chemical name N,N-diethyl-metatolumide).
To report mosquito breeding, call the Code Compliance Division of the City of El Paso Environmental Services Department at 599-6290.
Additional information can be found by clicking the West Nile Virus link on the Health Department homepage at www.elpasotexas.gov/health
