State confirms two cases of West Nile virus

West Nile virus has caused one human death in Donley County, state health officials reported this week, urging people to take necessary precautions.

Family members of a Donley County woman had previously said that she was suffering from the disease in an Amarillo hospital. The woman, whose identity cannot be published due to privacy concerns, died before the Texas Department of State Health Services had confirmation of her case.

“Our biggest problem is that we get lab slips in, but they aren’t specific to West Nile and we have to wait for additional results,” said Karen McDonald with the TDSHS regional office in Lubbock.

McDonald said the local cases were confirmed on October 30.

“There have been two documented cases of West Nile virus,” she said. “One resulted in a death. Both are in high-risk group – over 50 years old.”

Family members had said last month that the woman’s husband was also exhibiting symptoms that might indicate West Nile, but McDonald could not comment on whether the confirmed cases were related.

“I can’t verify that,” she said.

Dr. John C. Howard said West Nile virus is in Donley County to stay, and he urged people to take steps to avoid mosquitoes, which transmit the disease to humans.

“It is endemic now, and mosquitoes will control the level of activity,” Howard said. It’s going to be a recurring problem, and avoidance is our best defense.”

West Nile virus is carried in birds and transferred to humans by mosquitoes. The virus has an incubation period of three to 14 days with a week being the average. Health officials recommend people watch out for mosquitoes at dusk and dawn, use a repellent containing DEET, and wear clothes with long sleeves and light colors to avoid being bitten.

Howard also recommends people get rid of any standing water around their homes.

McDonald said even though temperatures are falling, mosquitoes will still be active on warm days.

“People need to be aware,” she said. “The risk will not diminish until the average daily temperature drops below 70ºF.”