West Nile Virus: No Threat to the Panhandle
By: Sarah Hurwitz
Updated: August 8, 2012
But public health officials say don't worry.
"Worried? I wouldn't say worried but we are vigilent. You know we through our regular reporting venues or avenues we keep an eye on West Nile Virus especially now you know we've had a little bit of rain," Public Health Assistant Director, Hector Mendoza said.
The two cases that were reported in Randall County in the last two months were not deadly.
And there haven't been any deaths within the past two years.
Public officials say that it's only deadly to people with weakened immune systems.
"Especially for the young and the older individuals it's really key. It goes case by case you know with just like the flu some people get the flu, they're down for a couple days and they're down for a couple of weeks, and unfortunately for some people it's a fatal occurence," Mendoza said.
Experts say that mosquitos lay they're eggs in standing water and that it's especially important in areas like this to wear mosquito repellant.
"If you're going to be out during the dusk or dawn let's say you like to go walking in the evening use a mosquito repellant that has deet," Mendoza said.
The Health Department says there are four easy ways to prevent West Nile.They call them the "four d's."
First, dress appropriately.
Wear long sleeves and pants.
Know that dusk and dawn are when mosquitos are most active.
Wear repellant with deet.
And drain standing water where mosquitos will gather most.
And officials say if you do contract the virus it is treatable.
The symptoms are pretty general.
They include headache and muscle aches.
Because it is a virus there isn't an antibiotic available.
