CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — The Corpus Christi-Nueces County Public Health District reports it has confirmation of this year's first human West Nile Virus infection in Nueces County.
Doctors said the patient is a man in his 50s and lives in the 78417 zip code. Officials said a test of mosquitoes in the area has not been wielded a positive case of West Nile Virus in that zip code.
The man is currently hospitalized, and any further information is not going to be released for privacy and confidentiality reasons.
Vector Services says they will implement the Mosquito Management Response Plan. The response entails the following:
- The spraying of a 1/2-mile radius around the area of the detection for three consecutive nights beginning Wednesday evening, weather permitting.
- Police Directed Patrol Officers and Neighborhood Services personnel will be attempting to locate any standing water in the affected neighborhood including examining abandoned properties.
- Vector Services will conduct continuing surveillance of mosquito traps in the immediate area for signs of the Culex species of mosquito responsible for West Nile Virus.
West Nile Virus is a disease spread by the bite of an infected mosquito. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Texas has reported 48 cases of West Nile and eight deaths for 2020.
West Nile virus is transmitted through the bite of infected mosquitoes. Most people exposed to the virus don’t get sick, but about 20 percent develop symptoms like headache, fever, muscle and joint aches, nausea and fatigue.
In a very small proportion, less than one percent, the virus affects the nervous system, leading to a more serious illness that can cause neck stiffness, disorientation, tremors, convulsions, paralysis and even death.
