Just two weeks after the West Nile virus was detected in Texas for the first time this year, it has now also been found in Sugar Land, the city announced Friday.
The infected mosquitoes were found in traps located at the intersection of Homeward Way and Kendall Creek Drive. They were first captured last week, and Sugar Land was notified today that at least one bug had tested positive for West Nile.
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Humans can contract the virus from mosquito bites, and mosquitoes often contract the virus from biting infected birds. Symptoms of West Nile include neck stiffness, vision problems, memory loss, and even seizures. The virus can cause serious illness and can even be fatal in humans, and there are also no vaccines or medications to treat the virus.
People with milder forms of West Nile typically recover from the virus on their own, although symptoms can last for weeks. 80 percent of people who contract West Nile have no symptoms and recover without medical intervention.
To combat the outbreak, the city will continue spraying the area twice per week and trapping mosquitoes to test for the virus.
Dr. Joe Anzaldua, Sugar Land’s medical director and health authority, is urging Sugar Land residents to take precautions to avoid exposure to infected mosquitoes.
“Residents should use insect repellent whenever they are outdoors and avoid going outside at dusk and dawn when mosquitos are most active,” Dr. Anzaldua said. “People over 50 years old and those with compromised immune systems are at a higher risk of becoming seriously ill if infected with the virus. If people have symptoms that cause them concern, they should contact their healthcare provider immediately.”
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.
- Drain standing water where mosquitoes breed. Common breeding sites include old tires, flowerpots and clogged rain gutters.