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Cases of West Nile Increase |
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Human Cases of West Nile Increase as Drought Worsens
Dallas County Health and Human Services (DCHHS) has confirmed six new human cases of West Nile disease. As of August 15, 2006, Dallas County has had a total of 31 confirmed human cases this year and two deaths associated with West Nile Virus (WNV). The exact cause of death in these cases is undetermined due to pre-existing medical conditions.
“In May, DCHHS predicted that we may see a high number of West Nile cases in Dallas County as a result of drought conditions and early heat waves,” said Zachary Thompson, DCHHD Director. “Dallas County and our municipal partners are taking the appropriate actions to ensure the safety of our residents,” Thompson continued. “With the widespread nature of West Nile this season, it is imperative that residents also do their part by taking the necessary precautions to avoid exposure to the virus,” Thompson concluded.
“We are concerned about the early onset of cases, as well as the number and severity of the human cases we are seeing this year,” said Dr. John Carlo, DCHHS Medical Director/Health Authority. “We, once again, urge residents to exercise precaution and avoid mosquito bites by using insect repellent and by mosquito proofing their homes,” Carlo continued.
Studies have shown that the majority of people who contracted the more serious form of West Nile Virus did not use insect repellent. In 2002, the first year the virus was reported in Dallas County, Dallas County had 36 confirmed human cases of West Nile with three deaths. In 2003, DCHHS reported a total of 50 human West Nile cases with four deaths. In 2004, Dallas County had a total of 16 human West Nile cases with no fatalities. In 2005, there were 44 human cases with one death.
The most severe type of disease in humans infected with WNV is sometimes called “neuroinvasive disease” because it affects a person’s nervous system. Specific types of neuroinvasive disease include: West Nile Encephalitis, West Nile Meningitis or West Nile Meninigio-Encephalitis. West Nile Fever is another type of illness that can occur in people who become infected with the virus. Symptoms of WNV in humans may include fever, headache, tiredness, muscle aches, confusion, stiff neck, nausea, and sometimes a rash.
Although the illness can be as short as a few days, even healthy people have been sick for several weeks. The incubation period (the period between being bitten by an infected mosquito and showing the first symptoms) for West Nile Virus varies from 3 days to 15 days. As with most viral infections, there is no specific treatment for West Nile Virus. Anyone who experiences symptoms consistent with WNV should see a physician as soon as possible.
“The eco-system of our area makes for an ideal breeding ground for the house mosquito, which is the biggest culprit in the spread of West Nile disease” said Dr. John Carlo, DCHHS Medical Director. “Our continuing drought conditions, coupled with high temperatures have increased the spread of West Nile infected mosquitoes throughout the County. Prevention remains the most effective way to protect yourself from contracting West Nile Virus,” Carlo continued.
Dallas County Health and Human Services has conducted surveillance for West Nile Virus in humans since 2002. Prior to 2002, Dallas County participated in the new expanded mosquito monitoring efforts kicked off by Texas Department of Health on July 21, 2000, in anticipation of the outbreak moving from the New York City area to Texas.
Our mosquito testing program experienced a dramatic increase to
provide sentinel surveillance for our human surveillance program. Dallas County was considered one of the long established mosquito-monitoring programs in Texas. In fact, Dallas County had experienced a major outbreak of Saint Louis Encephalitis, a related mosquito-borne disease, back in 1966.
For more information about mosquito activities in Dallas County, call the DCHHS Environmental Health Division at 214-819-2115 or visit www.dallascounty.org.
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