An 80-year-old man from El Paso has been confirmed as the first case of the Neuroinvasive West Nile Virus for the year 2025, a serious form of the illness that impacts the nervous system and has resulted in his hospitalization. The man resides in the ZIP code 79932, as reported by KFOX-TV. This city witnessed two cases of Neuroinvasive West Nile Virus last year, with one instance leading to a patient's death, while the other required extensive medical care.
Despite most people infected with West Nile Virus not showing symptoms, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that approximately one in five will develop West Nile fever, which can include fever, headache, body aches, joint pain, or rash. In more severe cases, the virus can progress to cause brain inflammation, fever, and neurological symptoms, as reported by the El Paso Times.
To combat the threat of mosquito-borne diseases, the City of El Paso has advised residents to use insect repellents containing DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, IR3535, or 2-undecanone, and to consider dressing in long sleeves, pants, and socks when outdoors. Residents are urged to remain cautious and to avoid outdoor activity from dusk till dawn when mosquitoes that carry the West Nile Virus are most active, and to eliminate sources of standing water where mosquitoes can breed. This includes household items like flowerpots, gutters, buckets, and birdbaths, and ensures that window and door screens are intact or repaired to keep mosquitoes out of the home, as elaborated by KTSM.
