HARRIS COUNTY, Texas — Harris County Public Health said seven human cases of West Nile virus have been confirmed in unincorporated areas of the county.
The number of positive mosquito samples has also skyrocketed with 520 cases across a widespread area, HCPH said. Positive samples were found in 168 out of the 268 unincorporated areas. There were only 50 positive samples in 2023 but a warmer spring season and recent rains are blamed for the dramatic increase this summer.
"Diseases transmitted by infected mosquitoes are a serious threat in our area,” Dr. Ericka Brown with HCPH said.
Experts advise residents to protect themselves and their loved ones against mosquito-borne illnesses with the 3D defense.
- DEET: Apply EPA-approved insect repellent with the ingredient DEET.
- Dress: Dress in long sleeves and pants while outdoors to limit exposed skin.
- Drain: Drain standing water around your home so mosquitos don’t have a place to breed.
"They love dirty water, they love stinky water, they love muddy water," Dr. Max Vigilant with HCPH told us. "But their favorite is containers that have collected water and have been stagnant over a period of time."
While most people infected by West Nile virus experience mild or no symptoms, some get very sick. Symptoms of WNV include fever, headache, body aches, nausea, rash or vomiting.
In severe cases, WNV can lead to encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) and meningitis (inflammation of the lining of the brain and spinal cord). Older adults and individuals with weakened immune systems are at higher risk of severe complications from WNV.
Anyone who experiences symptoms should immediately contact their healthcare provider.
A human case of WNV has also been confirmed in Montgomery County and HCPH reports two confirmed cases of travel-related dengue, another mosquito-borne illness.
The worst WNV outbreak in Texas happened in 2012 with nearly 1,900 cases and 89 deaths.