West Nile Causes Death In Dallas, TX 2024
It isn't the most pleasant thing to think about every time you leave the house, but if you go outside on a nice, warm day, the chances are you could get bit by a mosquito. Not only could you have to deal with itchy bumps, but you never know which mosquito is carrying a terrifying disease, like the West Nile virus. For residents in Dallas, Texas, that nightmare has become a reality. Learn how mosquitoes in Dallas have infected residents with West Nile virus, and even worse, how some didn't recover from the illness.
What is West Nile Virus?
West Nile virus is one of many mosquito-borne illnesses that mosquitoes carry, which can then be transmitted to humans, birds and horses. Out of the numerous diseases mosquitoes can transmit, West Nile virus is the leading one in the continental United States and made its first appearance in 1999, coming from Tunisia and Israel.
How West Nile Virus Spreads
The type of mosquito that carries West Nile virus is the Culex. A mosquito has to bite a bird infected with the virus and then bite a human to transmit the illness.
West Nile Symptoms
- Fever
- Headaches
- Muscle aches
- Rash
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Stiffness in the joints, especially the neck
- Light sensitivity
- General drowsiness
The tricky part about West Nile is that it presents with flu-like symptoms. How are people supposed to know if they have the flu or a potentially deadly disease? This is the hard part, as up to 80% of people who contract the illness do not develop any symptoms. If you were recently bitten by a mosquito and have some of the main symptoms, pay attention to any new weakness or numbing. Keep an eye on the bite, looking out for a growing rash. Since only a blood test or a spinal tap can confirm a diagnosis, if you aren't getting steadily better, you should seek medical treatment immediately.
West Nile Virus Deaths in Dallas
The year 2024 proved to be difficult for a number of reasons, but residents in Dallas, Texas, had an additional worry - the West Nile virus. In 2024 alone, there were three deaths in Dallas in relation to the illness and 13 deaths across Texas. The state confirmed 176 cases for that year and has had a total of 497 cases of West Nile, with 68 deaths reported in the last five years. In 2024, Texas has the highest number of cases in the country, with Houston and Dallas leading the pack.
The first death in 2024 was in August of 2024. A woman who did have underlying health conditions contracted the illness in early August, when she resided in North Dallas.
The second death was a man in the Far North Dallas and Richardson area. He also had underlying health conditions when he was infected with West Nile in October. The third death was another male, who also contracted and passed due to the illness in October.
What To Do if You Think You Have West Nile Virus
If you notice a mosquito bite, keep an eye on it and any symptoms you develop. You want to pay attention to new symptoms that come about later, if you have any neurological changes, sudden intense weakness or numbness or you don't feel like you are getting better at all. If you notice the last few, you should seek medical attention to confirm you have it and be closely monitored.
People with underlying conditions, weakened immune systems and those over 60 years old are more likely to develop more severe symptoms and be more at risk for complications. Because there is no treatment or vaccine for this illness, monitoring yourself is key. If you only have a mild case of West Nile, you should clear the disease in a few weeks as long as you get as much rest as possible and stay hydrated.
How to Prevent Mosquito Bites
Sure, you could try to stay inside all of the time to keep the mosquitoes from biting you, but that's not the way to live your life. Follow these tips to keep yourself bite-free so you don't have to constantly worry if each mosquito carries a disease.
- Dump all standing water around your property
- If you have a pool or hot tub, keep it covered when it's not being used
- Regularly clean bird baths and pet bowls
- Bring pet bowls inside when your pet comes in
- Check and clean your gutters routinely
- Wear bug repellant with DEET and reapply as instructed
Mosquitoes and other flying insects and bugs seek your yard out looking for standing water. Any day with hot, humid, rainy or wet weather could result in your yard being covered in places where mosquitoes could breed and lay eggs. Even a few teaspoons of water is enough, so walk your property and dump any water you find.
Those sunny days may call for a dip in your pool, but cover it up when it's not in use to keep bugs and wildlife out. If you have pets, bring the bowls inside when your fur baby comes in. Having a bird bath is a great way to see the local winged friends, but regularly clean it out.
It may not be the most fun to drag a ladder out to clean your gutters, but not only will it help them work better and last longer, but you will eliminate breeding grounds for bugs. Speaking of getting outside, whenever you spend time outside, especially near wooded areas or by water on a warm day, wear bug repellant with DEET to keep the insects from wanting to bite you.
Call in the Professionals
If you live in Dallas, or anywhere where mosquitoes and mosquito-borne diseases are high, calling a compassionate and experienced team, like your local MosquitoNix, is a smart move to see how to keep flying insects and bugs away from your yard.
It can be scary to go outside if you know West Nile is in the area, let alone when you know people are dying from the disease. Take precautions when you leave the house, stay inside when mosquitoes are most active, take pride in your outdoor space and keep it an area only humans and pets will enjoy.
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