El Paso health department confirms 5 new cases of West Nile virus; other mosquito-borne illnesses also detected

El Paso’s Department of Public Health announced Wednesday that there are five new cases of West Nile virus in El Paso this year.

This is in addition to six confirmed earlier this year.

West Nile virus cases in El Paso so far this year:

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
NEW Male 50’S 79901
NEW Male 70’S 79927
NEW Female 60’S 79912
NEW Male 70’S 79935
NEW Female 60’S 79922

With rain in the weather forecast for the next several days, conditions in our area will continue to make mosquito breeding very likely, health department officials said.

In 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