Tarrant County reports first human case of West Nile Virus this year
A human case of West Nile Virus was confirmed in northwest Tarrant County, public health officials said Thursday. It’s the first confirmed case this year.
Tarrant County Public Health reported the person had outdoor activities within the incubation period of the virus. The person showed a mild form of the disease often known as West Nile Virus fever.
More details on the patient will not be released to protect their identity, TCPH said.
The first WNV-positive mosquito pool was reported in May. Since then, TCPH reported seven total WNV-positive mosquito pools in Tarrant County.
However, there were no WNV-positive pools found in the area where the case was confirmed.
The health department said symptoms include headache, fever, muscle and joint aches, nausea and fatigue. People can recover on their own, but symptoms can last for several weeks.
Monitoring for virus pools will continue until mid-November, TCPH said.
Residents should dump standing water on their property, use mosquito repellent and dress in long pants and long sleeves, if possible, TCPH said.
