West Nile Virus :: DCHHS confirms new human cases of West Nile Virus

Dallas County Health and Human Services (DCHHS) has confirmed three new human cases of West Nile virus for the 2007 season. Two patients, who reside in zip codes 75205 and 75220, were diagnosed with West Nile fever and have recovered.

The third patient, who resides in zip code 75080, was diagnosed with West Nile Encephalitis and is recovering.

DCHHS previously reported five cases of West Nile fever diagnosed in patients residing in zip codes 75238, 75104, 75217, 75229 and an unincorporated area of Dallas County. DCHHS has also confirmed thirteen cases of West Nile Encephalitis diagnosed in patients living in zip codes 75241, 75060, 75240, 75050, 75229, 75238, 75227, 75051, 75220, 75215, 75210, 75219, and 75206.

For medical confidentiality and personal privacy reasons, DCHHS is not providing additional information. DCHHS has notified the Cities of Dallas, Richardson and University Park.

It is important for everyone to protect themselves and their families from West Nile virus by remembering the three Ds dress in long clothing, drain any standing water and using insect repellent that contains DEET, picaradin or lemon oil of eucalyptus.

The public can receive information on infected mosquito pools in Dallas County by sending an email to westnile@dallascounty.org to be added to the West Nile Watch distribution list.

DCHHS continues to work with its municipal partners on additional strategies to protect Dallas County residents from mosquitoborne illnesses. DCHHS West Nile prevention activities include surveillance, source reduction, larvaciding (killing mosquito larvae or wigglers), adulticiding (spraying for adult mosquitoes), and public education. Dallas County has enhanced is early detection capability through the use of gravid traps for mosquito collection and global positioning systems equipment provided by the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS).

For more information about mosquito activities in Dallas County, call the DCHHS Environmental Health Division at 2148192115 or visit our West Nile website at www.dallascounty.org.


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