First human West Nile virus case of season in Montgomery County

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, TX -- The first positive case of human West Nile virus in Montgomery County this season is under investigation and pending approval by the Department of State Health Services, according to the the Montgomery County Public Health District.

The patient, a female in her 50s, was confirmed positive through a blood test taken at a local emergency room. She lives in the 77304 ZIP code, encompassing West Conroe from Interstate 45 out to Lake Conroe and north to Panorama Village.

West Nile virus can cause serious disease and is most commonly spread by infected mosquitoes. People typically develop symptoms between three and 14 days after being bitten. According to the CDC, approximately 80 percent of people who are infected will not show any symptoms, but there is no way to know in advance whether a person will develop illness.

Milder symptoms include fever, headache, body aches, nausea, vomiting and, sometimes, swollen lymph glands or a skin rash on the chest, stomach and back. These symptoms can last up to several weeks. Serious symptoms that account for less than 1 percent of those infected can include high fever, headache, neck stiffness, disorientation, coma, tremors, seizures or paralysis. These symptoms can last for several weeks and neurological effects may be permanent.

Individuals who develop severe WNV illness, such as unusually severe headaches or confusion, should seek medical attention immediately. The majority of milder WNV illnesses improve on their own.

According to the CDC, the most effective way to avoid West Nile virus is to prevent mosquito bites. Avoid bites by using insect repellants, wearing protective clothing when outdoors and emptying standing water outside of the home.

Montgomery County Mosquito Control has documented abnormally high levels of West Nile virus activity in the local mosquito population this season. In response to the increased activity, crews continue to treat areas where WNV positive mosquito samples have been recorded. Treatment includes spraying streets and county rights of way.

Montgomery County Precinct 3 Commissioner James Noack said mosquito control technicians are working to combat the spread of West Nile virus in Montgomery County.

“Our teams have been working tirelessly, testing local mosquitoes for disease and performing treatments where we have found positive samples of the virus,” Commissioner Noack said. “These treatments are designed to disrupt the transmission cycle of the virus, reducing the chance that our residents become infected.”

The first positive samples were collected at the beginning of May, which is an early start for West Nile activity in this region, according to Justin Fausek, director of the Mosquito Abatement program in Montgomery County. There have been 112 positive mosquito samples, including 66 in The Woodlands Township, so far this season.

“Since that first week of trapping, we have seen a slow, but steady, increase in the levels of West Nile activity in the local mosquitoes,” Fausek said. “At the beginning of June, we saw a jump in activity, which has doubled the total number of positive samples collected this year. It’s unusual to see so much disease activity this early in the season.”

Residents can check https://precinct3.org/environmental/mosquito-abatement/ to learn more about the mosquito control efforts taking place throughout Montgomery County.

The best way for residents to protect themselves from mosquito-borne diseases, such as West Nile virus, is to wear insect repellent while spending time outdoors. Many active ingredients are available on the market with varying levels of effectiveness for different people. Be sure to follow the instructions on the product label to achieve the best results.

To reduce the overall number of mosquitoes in and around the home, residents are encouraged to eliminate any standing water on their property. If there are areas that cannot be drained, such as a meter box or bird bath, treat standing water with a larvicide product containing BTI. Mosquito technicians are available to help Montgomery County residents identify and eliminate mosquito breeding sites on their property, free of charge.

Questions and service requests can be addressed to Montgomery County Mosquito Control at 281-364-4203 or by emailing mosquitoes@mctx.org.

For more information on the West Nile virus please visit the CDC website: http://www.cdc.gov/westnile/index.html