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Dallas County reports first West Nile death of 2024

The patient was a woman who lived in the 75230 ZIP code.

Dallas County Health and Human Services announced the first West Nile virus death of 2024 on Tuesday.

The department said the patient was a woman with underlying health conditions diagnosed with West Nile neuroinvasive disease — a severe form of the mosquito-borne virus. The woman lived in the 75230 ZIP code.

Because of privacy and confidentiality reasons, DCHHS did not disclose additional information about the patient.

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“We are deeply saddened by this loss,” department director Dr. Philip Huang said in a news release. “This heartbreaking tragedy underscores the critical importance of safeguarding against mosquito bites, which can transmit several diseases including WNV.”

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The death comes as mosquito activity remains high in North Texas, where the virus was found in mosquitos beginning in May. More than 100 cases of West Nile virus have been reported in the U.S. so far this year, with 18 of those in Texas, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

West Nile virus is the leading cause of mosquito-borne disease in the U.S. Most infected people will show no symptoms, but patients who develop symptoms can experience fevers, headaches, body aches and rashes between three to 14 days after a mosquito bite. Fewer than 1% of people who contract the virus develop severe West Nile neuroinvasive disease, a condition that can lead to death or long-term disability.

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Dallas County officials recommended residents practice the four Ds — DEET, dress, drain and dusk to dawn — to combat the rise of mosquito-borne illness. These practices advise people to use insect repellants that contain DEET or other EPA-approved repellants, wear long and loose clothing, drain standing water and avoid going outdoors from dusk to dawn, when mosquitos are most active.