3 new cases of West Nile virus confirmed in El Paso

The City of El Paso Department of Public Health announced today that the number of diagnosed West Nile Virus infections in the El Paso area has reached 14.

Male 60’s 79927
Male 60’S 79907 Female 30’S 79912 Female 50’S 79932 5 Female 50’S 79932 Male 60’S 79932 Male 50’S 79901
Male 70’S 79927
Female 60’S 79912
Male 70’S 79935
Female 60’S 79922
Female 50’s 79835
Male 70’s 79915
Female 80’s 79924

Recent rain has created many opportunities for standing water in our area and ponding water makes mosquito breeding very likely. n addition to the West Nile virus threat, there are currently other mosquito-borne illnesses circulating throughout the country.

El Paso’s Environmental Service Department’s mosquito traps have yielded a positive “hit” for the St. Louis Encephalitis Virus (SLEV) and those results were confirmed by the Department of State Health Services Laboratory.

Though not uncommon in Texas, this sometimes-deadly virus was last found in mosquitoes in El Paso back in 2002, El Paso health department officials said.

St. Louis Encephalitis is transmitted to humans by the bite of an infected mosquito.

Like WNV, most persons infected with SLEV have no apparent illness at first.

Department officials recommend that residents practice the following “Four D’s” as a way to prevent more cases:

DEET– Use insect repellents when you go outdoors. Repellents containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535, and some oil of lemon eucalyptus and para-menthane-diol products provide longer-lasting protection. To optimize safety and effectiveness, repellents should be used according to the label instructions. DRESS– When weather permits, wear long sleeves, long pants, and socks when outdoors. Mosquitoes may bite through thin clothing, so spraying clothes with repellent containing permethrin or another EPA-registered repellent will give extra protection. Don’t apply repellents containing permethrin directly to skin. Rather, spray permethrin-containing products only on clothing. DUSK and DAWN– Take extra care during peak mosquito biting hours. Take extra care to use repellent and protective clothing from dusk to dawn or consider avoiding outdoor activities during these times. DRAIN– Help reduce the number of mosquitoes around and outside your home by emptying standing water from flowerpots, gutters, buckets, pool covers, pet water dishes, discarded tires, and birdbaths on a regular basis. To report standing water or mosquito breeding, call Environmental Services at 3-1-1.

Education
In an effort to increase awareness about West Nile Virus, local civic and community organizations can schedule a presentation that will include background on the disease, prevention methods, as well as what people can look out for in regards to signs and symptoms of infection. Presentations can be scheduled electronically or via telephone at: http://tinyurl.com/8b6qptx or (915) 771-5727