More West Nile mosquitoes in Wichita Falls

Cameron Kaiser said the man, who isn’t being identified, died last month after a brief hospitalization and the illness was reported this week.

Mosquitoes typically become carriers of the virus after feeding on an infected bird and can then spread the potentially lethal strain to animals and humans. Prior to that, there had not been a human case here since 2006.

McKinney will spray two separate areas of the city tonight and Friday night to control mosquitoes after more mosquito pools tested positive for West Nile virus.

There haven’t been any human cases of the virus in either county this year, and health officials hope to see it stay that way through the end of mosquito season.

“We continue to have weather conditions that are favorable for the mosquitoes that transmit West Nile virus“, said Dr. Philip Armstrong, Medical Entomologist at the CAES.

In humans, West Nile virus can cause fever and encephalitis, an infection that can cause inflammation of the brain and death. More severe cases may lead people to suffer from neurological damage or death, district officials said. However, health officials said the man had underlying health issues which may have contributed. A person who is bitten by an infected mosquito may show symptoms three to 15 days after the bite.

– Eliminate all sources of standing water on your property, such as old tires, buckets, flower pots and toys that can support mosquito breeding.

Mosquito season is starting to wind down but Columbus Public Health and Franklin County Public Health remind residents protect themselves and their families when outdoors.