Mosquitoes with West Nile Virus have been confirmed in Bell County

Bell County, TX (Fox 44) — West Nile Virus is a virus that typically is transmitted to humans through mosquitoes. According to the Bell County Public Health District, residents are urged to do their part to protect themselves from mosquito-borne diseases.

The Bell County Public Health District says West Nile Virus is the most common mosquito-borne disease in the United States. It can cause symptoms in the nervous system if it’s a severe case that might include meningitis or encephalitis.

“Most commonly causes swine flu like symptoms, fever, chills, headache, body aches, things like that,” says director of public health, LaShonda Malrey-Horne.

As usual if someone were to get sick the body naturally fights off infections but, the disease may cause more problems for some more than others.

“The people most at risk for severe cases are going to be senior adults over the age of 60 or anybody that has any underlying health condition that might cause them to have a decreased immune system,” says Malrey-Horne.

Malrey-Horne expresses that it is important to get rid of any standing water around your house because standing water attracts mosquitoes.

“You should use insect repellent and you should wear long sleeves if you’re going to be outdoors. Mosquitoes are most likely to bite, like at dusk and at night,” says Malrey-Horne.

To keep track of mosquitoes, local health departments track and report the information back to the state.

“You should always just kind of watch what’s going on with CDC and and the Texas Department of State Health Services. They regularly make West Nile Virus information available,” Malrey-Horne.

For more information and updates in your area on West Nile Virus go to https://www.waco-texas.com/Departments/Health-District