Denton County reports first death linked to West Nile Virus

DENTON (1080 KRLD)- The Denton County Public Health Department is reporting its first death linked to the West Nile Virus for this 2024 season.

The deceased was also recorded as the second case reported in Denton County and they resided in the northwest quadrant of unincorporated Denton County.

Further information on their identity is not being released in order to protect patient confidentiality, says Denton County in a press release.

“We’re seeing more positive mosquito traps in the last few weeks indicating increasing risk for contracting West Nile Virus, just as we’ve seen in our second human case and first death of the season,” stated Juan Rodriguez, DCPH Assistant Director and Chief Epidemiologist.

“We ask community members to take preventive actions to lower their risk of contracting a mosquito-borne illness.”

Such protective measures include the following:
- Drain standing water in your yard and neighborhood to minimize mosquito breeding sites such as bird baths, flowerpots, and clogged rain gutters.
- Dress in long sleeves and pants when you are outside and spray thin clothing with repellent.
- Defend yourself by using EPA-registered repellent

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