Dallas County Health and Human Services and other Dallas-Fort Worth-area health departments urge residents to take precautions to prevent exposure to West Nile virus in the summer months. Texas Regional Medical Center at Sunnyvale joins them in the call for prevention, and suggests these simple tips:

• Drain any standing water to reduce mosquitoes’ breeding grounds.
• Use insect repellents that contain DEET or other Environmental Protection Agency-approved repellent compounds. 

“West Nile season usually runs from May through October, so get in the habit of applying repellent each time you leave the house and apply it again if necessary,” Dr. Fred C. Thomas, who is on staff at TRMC-Sunnyvale and whose private practice is in East Dallas, said. “In general, you should apply repellent every three or four hours.” 

• Dress in pants and long sleeves when outside. Light-colored clothes are best.
• Mow lawns regularly.
• Consider staying indoors at dusk and at dawn. That’s when mosquitoes are most active.

Most people infected with the virus will not have any signs of illness, Thomas said. Others may experience mild symptoms, such as headaches, body aches, skin rashes and swollen lymph glands.

Although severe cases are rare, patients’ symptoms include headaches, high fevers, stiff necks, weak muscles, tremors and convulsions.

Story and photo courtesy of Stephanie Patrick