Seven Harris County Residents and Five Williamson County Mosquitoes Test Positive for West Nile Virus in Texas: Precautions to Take

Baytown, Texas United States of America
People tend to develop symptoms about two weeks after being bitten by an infected mosquito.
Practice the 'Four Ds': use insect repellent, dress in long sleeves and pants, stay indoors at dusk and dawn, and drain standing water to prevent mosquito breeding grounds.
Seven residents from Harris County and five mosquito samples from Williamson County in Texas tested positive for West Nile Virus.
The virus can lead to more severe neuroinvasive disease where the virus enters the central nervous system.
West Nile Virus can cause symptoms such as fever, headache, body aches, nausea and vomiting.
Seven Harris County Residents and Five Williamson County Mosquitoes Test Positive for West Nile Virus in Texas: Precautions to Take

West Nile Virus Outbreak in Texas: Seven Harris County Residents Infected and Five Cases Detected in Williamson County

July 2024

Texas is currently experiencing an outbreak of West Nile Virus, with seven residents from Harris County and five mosquito samples from Williamson County testing positive for the virus. The virus, which is most commonly spread through the bite of an infected mosquito, can cause serious disease and symptoms such as fever, headache, body aches, nausea and vomiting.

According to Harris County Public Health officials, people tend to develop symptoms about two weeks after being bitten. The virus can also lead to more severe neuroinvasive disease where the virus enters the central nervous system.

The Texas Department of State Health Services recommends practicing the 'Four Ds' as precautionary measures: use insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus; dress in long sleeves and long pants when you are outside; stay indoors at dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active; and drain standing water where mosquitoes breed.

The first West Nile Virus detection in Texas this year was nearly a month ago. The virus can be contracted from mosquito bites, and mosquitoes often contract the virus from biting infected birds.

Here are some precautions you should take to avoid coming in contact with infected mosquitoes:

  • Drain flower pots, pet dishes, blocked gutters, or any containers that may hold standing water to prevent mosquito breeding grounds.
  • Treat any water that cannot be drained.
  • Dress in long sleeves and pants when outdoors to minimize exposed skin.
  • Defend by using an EPA-approved insect repellent to protect yourself from mosquito bites.

As of now, there are no vaccines or medications to treat the virus. Most people infected with West Nile might not even realize it and recover without medical intervention. However, about 1 in 150 cases can become quite severe and lead to neuroinvasive disease.

The following counties in Texas have reported positive West Nile Virus cases this season:

  • Harris County: Seven human cases
  • Williamson County: Five mosquito samples tested positive
  • Montgomery County: One human case
  • Bexar County: One human case

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Confidence

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(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

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7 Harris Co. residents infected with West Nile Virus, county health officials say

ABC13 Houston News Site - Source Code Generator Friday, 26 July 2024 18:43
  • Unique Points
    • Seven Harris County residents have been infected with West Nile Virus.
    • 520 mosquito samples tested positive for West Nile Virus.
  • Accuracy
    • Five mosquito traps in Williamson County, Texas have tested positive for West Nile virus this season.
    • West Nile Virus can cause serious disease and is most commonly spread through the bite of an infected mosquito.
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

95%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

Two more mosquito samples test positive for West Nile in Williamson County

CBS Austin - Keye TV Station in Texas and CBS Affiliate Adela Uchida Saturday, 27 July 2024 23:29
  • Unique Points
    • Five mosquito traps in Williamson County, Texas have tested positive for West Nile virus this season.
    • Two latest positive tests were found near Geneva and Edwards parks in Georgetown.
  • Accuracy
    • Nine confirmed human cases of West Nile virus have been reported in Texas this year.
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

95%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

West Nile Virus found in Baytown mosquitoes

Click2Houston News Online Michael Horton Wednesday, 24 July 2024 23:53
  • Unique Points
    • West Nile Virus found in mosquitoes in Baytown, Texas
    • First West Nile Virus detection in Texas this year was nearly a month ago
    • Protective measures against West Nile Virus include wearing DEET-based insect spray, eliminating standing water, wearing long pants and long-sleeved shirts when outdoors, avoiding outdoor activity at dawn and dusk, and draining standing water where mosquitoes breed
  • Accuracy
    • Five mosquito samples tested positive for West Nile Virus.
    • Nine confirmed human cases of West Nile virus have been reported in Texas this year.
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication