West Nile virus a growing concern in Dallas County
DALLAS - People living in Dallas County need to take precautions to avoid mosquitos and the West Nile virus.
Dallas County health officials said a sixth person was recently diagnosed with the virus.
The latest patient is a female resident of Dallas in the 75230 zip code, on the north side, near the LBJ Freeway and Highway 75.
She was diagnosed with the more severe "West Nile Neuroinvasive Disease."
It is more troublesome because it affects the nervous system. It occurs in less than one percent of people infected with West Nile.
Older people and those with pre-existing medical conditions are at higher risk.
No other details about the patient were released because that information is considered private.
"The recent confirmation of our sixth West Nile virus case in Dallas County underscores the importance of ongoing prevention efforts," said Dr. Philip Huang, the Dallas County Health and Human Services director.
West Nile Virus is a disease that is spread by the bite of an infected mosquito. Mosquitoes can become infected when they feed on the blood of infected birds.
The infected mosquitoes can then transmit the virus to humans and animals.
Last month, a lab confirmed several positive cases in mosquito samples in Balch Springs, Sachse, and Sunnyvale.
Although the affected areas were sprayed with treatment, health officials are still urging people to protect themselves.
West Nile virus detected in Dallas County mosquitoes
The mosquito samples were collected from zip codes in Balch Springs, Sachse and Sunnyvale.
FOX 4 talked to a North Texas doctor, who was infected with West Nile Virus in the summer of 2020.
He recalled the symptoms that kept him home for a week.
"We were convinced that I had West Nile because I broke out in this prickly rash on my trunk that was pretty characteristic of West Nile fever," said Dr. Joel Walker. "The worst. I had a headache and mental confusion kind of like a cloud in my head."
Dr. Walker said the confusion lingered for about 6 weeks. He has since made a full recovery. He's sharing his story in hope of encouraging others to protect themselves against West Nile.
"As mosquito activity intensifies, residents are urged to be vigilant and practice the four Ds to protect themselves and their families from this potentially serious illness," Dr. Huang said.
Those four Ds include using DEET repellents, dressing in long pants and long-sleeved shirts, draining standing water, and limiting time outdoors during dusk and dawn when mosquitos are most active.
For updates on positive mosquito samples and human West Nile cases, visit https://www.dallascounty.org/departments/dchhs/communicable-diseases/west-nile-watch/west-nile-watch-24.php.