What you need to know to protect yourself

DALLAS COUNTY – The Texas Department of State Health Services announced that the first case of West Nile has been reported in the state.

According to a press release, the case was discovered in a Dallas County resident and was reported by Dallas County Health and Human Services.

West Nile is transmitted by the bite of infected mosquitoes. While most people exposed to the virus do not get sick, around 20% may experience a variety of flu-like symptoms, including headache, fever, muscle and joint pain, nausea, and fatigue.

According to the TDSHS, less than 1% of those who become ill could experience a stiff neck, disorientation, tremors, seizures, paralysis and even death.

The TDSHS urges people to “declare WAR” on mosquitoes in order to protect themselves and their families from diseases spread by mosquitoes, such as West Nile.

• CARRY long sleeves and pants. Create a barrier against mosquito bites by covering yourself up.

• APPLY insecticide. Use EPA registered repellent such as those containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535, lemon eucalyptus oil, para-menthane-diol or 2-undecanone.

• REMOVE backwater. Emptying water that collects in toys, tires, trash cans, buckets, clogged gutters and plant pots will deprive mosquitoes of a place to lay their eggs and breed.

It is also recommended that people use air conditioning and make sure windows and screen doors are in good condition to keep mosquitoes away from their homes.