2 cases of West Nile virus confirmed in El Paso
Two cases of West Nile virus have been confirmed in El Paso, the city’s Department of Public Health said in a news release Tuesday.
Last year, two people died from the illness. Eighteen cases were reported in 2021, and all required hospitalization.
The patients confirmed this year are a man in his 60s, living in the 79932 ZIP code, with no underlying health conditions, and a woman in her 80s, in the 79936 ZIP code, who has underlying medical conditions. Both are in the hospital receiving treatment, officials said.
Humans become infected through the bites of infected mosquitoes when they feed on infected birds, which circulate the virus in their blood.
Symptoms of West Nile include fever, headache, tiredness, body aches, joint pain, nausea, rash, vomiting and swollen lymph glands, according to a news release from the health department.
Eight out of 10 people infected with the virus will not develop symptoms, the release said. However, one in five people who are infected develops West Nile fever.
About one out of 150 infected people develop severe illness affecting the central nervous system. About one out of 10 cases of severe illness are fatal.
People older than 60 are at the highest risk of serious illness. Those with certain medical conditions, such as cancer, diabetes, hypertension and kidney disease, and those who have received organ transplants are also at high risk.
More:City of El Paso reports first case of monkeypox
Tips to avoid mosquito bites
Officials say the best way to avoid exposure to mosquito-borne diseases is to practice “The Four D’s”:
DEET – Use insect repellents containing DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, IR3535, or 2-undecanone outdoors. 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 can bite through thin clothing, so it’s recommended to spray your clothes with repellent.
Dusk and dawn – Although mosquitoes associated with West Nile can be active throughout the day, residents should take extra care during peak mosquito biting hours (from dusk to dawn) or consider avoiding outdoor activities during these times.
Drain – Reduce the number of mosquitoes around and outside a home by emptying standing water from flowerpots, gutters, buckets, pool covers, pet water dishes, discarded tires, and birdbaths regularly. Don’t forget to change pet’s water bowl daily.
People can mosquito-proof homes by installing or repairing screens on windows and doors to keep mosquitoes out. Residents can report standing water and mosquito breeding by calling 915-212-6000.
For more information and tips, visit EPHealth.com under the Emergency Preparedness Be Climate Ready tab.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: 2 cases of West Nile virus confirmed in El Paso
