Brownwood physician, Dr. Gary Butka confirmed the first case of West Nile Virus in Brown County early Tuesday morning.
According to Butka, a patient of his became ill about a week ago and results of a blood test confirming WNV came back positive today. The patient is said to be a male over the age of 50 and resides in eastern Brown County. Butka stated that he is in the process of filing paperwork to report the case to the state health department and it will take a day or two for the agency to report it statewide as confirmed.
Butka stated that this illness, although it can be very serious is not something the public should be panicked about; rather be aware of ways to prevent exposure. He stated that the disease is not contagious from one person to another, only from mosquitoes carrying the virus.
“West Nile Virus is not contagious, it has to come from a point source. People exposed to the same mosquito could be infected,” explained Butka.
Butka also stated that 98% of the people infected do not even know they have West Nile Virus, having only headache, diarrhea or rashes at times the illness is mistaken for a more common virus such as the flu. He further explained that many of the deaths related to West Nile Virus are often of people who have other serious illnesses in addition to their exposure to WNV.
“People don’t realize that there are more deaths in one day from traffic accidents than have been reported this year related to WNV,” said Butka. “In 2002 or 2003, there were several cases of WNV in Brown County.”
Butka stated that recent dryness has lowered the mosquito population in the county; however recent rains made conditions right for the insect’s population to once again flourish.
According to the Texas Department of State Health Services, this year there have been 1406 cases reported in Texas and 62 deaths as of September 24, 2012. Dallas County leads the state with over 325 reported cases of the virus.
DSHS reminds Texans to reduce the risk of exposure by eliminating standing water and other mosquito breeding areas; making sure door, porch and window screens are in good condition; and using a repellent that contains DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus or IR3535 when outdoors.
The 4 D’s are as follows:
1) Stay indoors at DUSK and DAWN. This is the time of day that mosquitoes are most active.
2) DRESS in long sleeves and pants, loose and light-colored clothing when outdoors.
3) DEFEND yourself from mosquitoes by using an insect repellent that contains Deet, Picardin or Oil of lemon eucalyptus. Follow label instructions.
4) DRAIN standing water in your yard and neighborhood. Also make sure that flower pots, water dishes, bird baths and wading pools are drained properly so they are not breeding grounds for mosquitoes.
