West Nile virus infections in Dallas continue to rise. Why we see surge in cases this year?
Dallas, Texas – In an unsettling revelation, the Dallas County Department of Health and Human Services has chronicled an alarming uptick in human incidences of the West Nile virus, registering 19 confirmed cases thus far this year—a sharp escalation observed predominantly within the last 30 days. The first West Nile virus case in Dallas this year was registered in July.
According to official documentation released on the department’s website, a disconcerting 79% of the afflicted individuals—that is, 15 out of the 19 reported patients—have been diagnosed with West Nile neuroinvasive disease. This particular manifestation of the virus represents a grievous form, characterized by its aggressive assault on neurological functions. Regrettably, this medical crisis has culminated in two fatalities directly attributable to the viral infection.
West Nile virus cases are on the rise this year
Geographically disaggregated data, provided by the health department, indicate a skewed prevalence of the malady within the city limits of Dallas, where 16 of the 19 confirmed cases have been identified. Additionally, the cities of Irving and Grand Prairie reported two and one cases, respectively. Within the metropolis, the Lake Highlands and Lakewood regions have elicited particular concern: in ZIP codes 75231 and 75243, two individual cases have been reported.
Meanwhile, sentinel surveillance of mosquito populations within Lake Highlands and Lakewood has yielded positive results for the West Nile virus in ZIP codes 75214, 75238, and 75243. A comprehensive list detailing the presence of infected mosquitoes across various Dallas County ZIP codes can be accessed via the DCHHS website.
Only three West Nile virus cases were reported in Dallas last year
Comparatively, the department registered a meager three human cases throughout the entirety of 2022. Department spokesperson Christian Grisales postulates that this year’s increased incidence rate is potentially influenced by a multifactorial confluence of circumstances. Most notably, Grisales highlights an upswing in outdoor activities—a trend presumably spurred by the relaxation of pandemic-related restrictions—as a likely vector of increased exposure. The diminished utilization of insect repellents during these outdoor excursions has also been implicated as a contributory factor in the rise of this public health quandary.
“As people are returning to the new normal and going back to enjoying outdoor activities, that’s probably the reason why we’re seeing more cases,” Grisales said, as reported by Community Impact.
As temperatures drop in North Texas this month, residents can expect to see increased mosquito activity and should ensure they are taking precautions against getting bit, Grisales said.
He added residents should not ignore symptoms if they think they may have contracted the virus.
“We want people to know that if you have a mosquito bite, you should monitor your symptoms, and if you need to seek medical attention, do so immediately,” Grisales said. “It’s not something to ignore.”
Predominantly vectored through the bite of an infected mosquito—which itself acquires the virus by ingesting the blood of an infected avian host—the West Nile virus poses a substantial but often insidious risk to human health. According to pertinent information disseminated by the Dallas County Department of Health and Human Services (DCHHS), the virus may also find alternate transmission pathways, albeit exceedingly rare ones, through procedures such as blood transfusions and organ transplants, as well as vertical transmission from mother to fetus during pregnancy or via breastfeeding.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) elucidate that merely one in five individuals who contract the virus manifest discernible symptoms. Clinical manifestations can range from fever and headache to more debilitating conditions like joint pains, vomiting, and diarrhea, often accompanied by a skin rash. Although most affected persons do achieve complete recovery, a protracted period of fatigue and weakness may persist for months. The incubation period for the virus, i.e., the time lapse between the offending mosquito bite and symptom onset, typically spans three to fourteen days.
Seasonal patterns underscore the heightened vulnerability to the West Nile virus, with incidences proliferating during the warm and humid months of summer and fall, a temporal window commensurate with increased mosquito activity. Despite ongoing research endeavors, the medical community has yet to introduce either a prophylactic vaccine or a targeted antiviral treatment for the malady. Symptomatic relief, however, may be achieved through rest, fluid intake, and over-the-counter analgesics.
In light of the pressing health risk, DCHHS officials have promulgated a compendium of precautionary measures, colloquially termed the ‘Four D’s,’ to abate the likelihood of virus contraction:
- DEET: Advocating the use of insect repellents containing DEET or other formulations approved by the Environmental Protection Agency when engaging in outdoor activities.
- Dress: Recommending the donning of attire that is long, loose, and light-colored to deter mosquito bites.
- Drain: Urging the elimination or treatment of stagnant water reservoirs within residential and occupational vicinities to thwart the propagation of mosquito larvae.
- Dawn and Dusk: Exhorting citizens to minimize outdoor exposure during the dawn and dusk hours, which coincide with peak mosquito activity.
By adhering to these guidelines, residents can contribute to a community-wide effort to stem the transmission of this public health menace.
“Mosquitos aren’t going anywhere—they’re going to be around,” Grisales said. “What we can do to prevent mosquito bites is what will make a difference.”