El Paso health officials confirm two deaths due to West Nile Virus
EL PASO, Texas -- Two men in their 60s and 70s with underlying conditions are confirmed as having died from West Nile Virus, according to El Paso health officials.
The men lived in area codes 79936 and 79907.
“The community needs to take into account that for most people a mosquito bite is a nuisance, but for others it can be very serious particularly for those with medical conditions that impair their immune system’s ability to fight infection if the mosquito is carrying a disease like West Nile,” said City-County Health Authority Dr. Hector Ocaranza. “As long as we still have mosquitoes biting in El Paso, the threat of disease continues to be present.”
According to health officials, symptoms of West Nile Virus include fever, headache, tiredness, body aches, nausea, vomiting and swollen lymph nodes.
To reduce your exposure to mosquitoes, health officials suggest the following:
- Use insect repellents containing DEET, Picardian, oil of lemon eucalyptus, IR3535, or 2-undecanone when you go outdoors.
- Dress according to the weather. Wear long sleeves, long pants, and wear socks when outdoors.
- It is known that mosquitoes associated with West Nile can be active throughout the day, so be sure to take extra care during those hours when the mosquitoes are most active.
- Empty standing water from flowerpots, gutters, buckets, buckets, pool covers, pet water dishes, discarded tires and birdbaths on a regular basis.
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