Tragedy has struck Denton County with the reporting of its first West Nile Virus-related fatality and second human case this year. The patient, who resided in the northwest quadrant of unincorporated Denton County, was diagnosed with West Nile Neuroinvasive Disease. In compliance with patient privacy norms, officials have withheld additional personal details.
In light of recent developments, Juan Rodriguez, DCPH Assistant Director, and Chief Epidemiologist, expressed heightened concern, "We’re seeing more positive mosquito traps in the last few weeks indicating increasing risk for contracting West Nile Virus, just as we’ve seen in our second human case and first death of the season," he conveyed, as per Denton County. The surge in positive mosquito traps signals the community to seriously start to consider preventive measures against WNV.
Denton County Public Health is urging residents to take proactive steps to curtail the mosquitoes that carry the virus. Key preventive tactics include draining any standing water that can serve as a breeding ground for mosquitoes, such as what accumulates in bird baths, flowerpots, or clogged rain gutters. To combat standing water that can't be drained, civic health specialists recommend the use of BTI briquettes, colloquially referred to as mosquito dunks.
Additional strategies for self-protection include dressing in long sleeves and pants when outdoors and utilizing insect repellent on light clothing. DCPH endorses the use of EPA-registered repellents, suggesting to look out for active ingredients like DEET, Picaridin, or Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus.
