PAnews.com, Port Arthur, Texas

Local News

Discussion

August 23, 2012

First human case of West Nile in Beaumont confirmed

Mary Meaux The Port Arthur News

— The first human case of West Nile Fever has been confirmed in Beaumont along with two cases in Orange County.

Christine Mann, spokesperson for the Texas Department of State Health Services, said last year was a very mild year for the West Nile virus, which has been in Texas since 2002.

“We are on track for the worst year of West Nile in Texas ever,” Mann said.

Mann explained there are two forms of the West Nile illness. The more severe form is West Nile neuroinvasive. Symptoms include high fever, stiff neck, coma, paralysis and even death. Symptoms of the milder form, West Nile fever, include fever, headache, muscle aches and body aches.

“People typically recover from the milder form on their own,” she said. “It is more severe than the flu but not as serious as the other form which can cause permanent disability.”

West Nile illness can last for several weeks, she added.

“We urge people to take precautions,” she said. “Use insect repellent when outdoors, drain standing water on your property because mosquitoes breed in stagnant water, make sure the screens on your windows and doors are tight fitting, avoid going outdoors at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active and wear long sleeves and long pants when out at dawn and dusk to reduce exposure to West Nile.”

So far there have been four areas in Jefferson County where mosquitoes have tested positive for the virus which includes three areas in Port Arthur and one in Beaumont.

 Recent numbers released from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show the recent West Nile virus outbreak is the largest ever seen in the United States as well.

mmeaux@panews.com

 

Text Only
Local News