Dallas County reports second West Nile virus death this season, officials say. What to know
Dallas County reported the second death from West Nile virus in the 2024 season Thursday.
The victim was a Richardson man with underlying medical conditions, according to Dallas County Health and Human Services. Officials did not release his name.
The first positive case of West Nile this year was reported in July by the Tarrant County Public Health Department.
TCPH has discovered 169 mosquito pools in Tarrant County that are positive for West Nile virus in 2024. Here's what else you need to know about the virus this season.
What is the West Nile virus?
The West Nile Virus is the dominant cause of mosquito borne illness in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
The most common way humans are infected is by a mosquito bite. The virus spreads to humans through infected mosquitoes, who in turn get infected by biting birds. The infected mosquitoes then carry the virus to humans and other animals.
Frequent symptoms include body aches, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, headaches, and rashes.
No medicines or vaccines are currently available to prevent West Nile virus in humans. West Nile Virus can not spread from human to human.
How serious are West Nile virus symptoms?
The CDC reports that symptoms are seen by about 1 in 5 affected individuals.
At least 24 Tarrant County residents have been hospitalized with West Nile Virus this summer, according to TCPH.
Approximately 1 in 150 infected individuals experience a severe case of the deadly disease.
The two biggest risk factors for the West Nile virus are weakened immunity and advanced age, according to the National Library of Medicine.
Avoiding mosquito bites will lower your chance of contracting the virus.
Cases occur the most during mosquito season, which lasts from June through fall.
