3 El Pasoans diagnosed with West Nile virus in first cases of the year
Health officials announced three confirmed West Nile virus cases in El Paso on Friday afternoon, which marked the first occurrences of the mosquito-borne illness this year in the Borderland.
The victims who contracted it were identified as two women in their late 70s and a man in his 50s; officials said all three of them lived in El Paso’s 79925 zip code area.
“Human infection is the result of bites from infected mosquitoes. Mosquitoes become infected when they feed on infected birds, which circulate the virus in their blood for a few days,” said Fernando Gonzalez, the lead epidemiologist for the city of El Paso’s health department.
Symptoms of West Nile virus can include fever, headache, tiredness, body aches, nausea, vomiting, and swollen lymph glands.
Gonzalez said the best way to avoid contracting West Nile is to take precautions when going outdoors: Use insect repellents containing DEET, wear long sleeves and long pants along with socks, and avoid activities at dusk and dawn.
Heath officials also recommend mosquito-proofing your home by installing screens on windows and doors as well as emptying standing water from flowerpots, gutters, pool covers and other spots outside your home.
Friday’s confirmed West Nile outbreak comes as residents of one El Paso neighborhood were expressing concern to city officials about a backyard swimming pool containing stagnant, green water that could be a magnet for mosquito breeding.
