15th person contracts West Nile virus in El Paso
The City of El Paso’s Department of Public Health has recorded a 15th case of West Nile virus this season. Officials said a man in his early 80s, with underlying medical conditions, contracted the virus.
“While the fall season is upon us, the weather is not cold enough to really make a difference when it comes to mosquito activity,” the city’s lead epidemiologist Fernando Gonzalez said in a news release. “With more pleasant temperatures, residents may be spending more time outdoors and preventing mosquito-borne diseases is extremely important.”
Click here for a map showing mosquito control activities in El Paso.
Officials said the best way to avoid contracting West Nile is to remember the “Four Ds.”
DEET: Use insect repellents that contain DEET when outdoors.
DRESS: Wear long sleeves, long pants, and socks when outdoors.
DUSK and DAWN – Although mosquitoes associated with other diseases such as Zika can be active throughout the day; residents should take extra care during peak mosquito biting hours (from dusk to dawn) or consider avoiding outdoor activities during these times.
DRAIN – Drain standing water from flowerpots, gutters, buckets, pool covers, pet water dishes, and birdbaths.
Here’s a list of all the recorded cases this season:
1.
Female
Late 70’s
Underlying Medical Conditions
2.
Female
Late 70’s
Underlying Medical Conditions
Deceased
3.
Female
Early 50’s
Underlying Medical Conditions
4.
Female
Early 30’s
No Underlying Medical Conditions
5.
Male
Late 30’s
No Underlying Medical Conditions
Deceased
6.
Male
Early 80’s
Underlying Medical Conditions
7.
Male
Early 30’s
No Underlying Medical Conditions
8.
Female
Mid 70’s
Underlying Medical Conditions
9.
Male
Early 80’s
Underlying Medical Conditions
10.
Female
Mid 70’s
Underlying Medical Conditions
11.
Male
Early 80’s
Underlying Medical Conditions
12.
Female
Early 30’s
No Underlying Medical Conditions
13
Male
Late 80’s
Underlying Medical Conditions
14.
Male
Early 60’s
Underlying Medical Conditions
NEW
15.
Male
Early 80’s
Underlying Medical Conditions
KVIA 2019
