County sees first confirmed West Nile Case
Van Zandt County residents have been relatively lucky in recent years, ducking the brunt of the seemingly endless spread of new and emerging illnesses that have plagued other areas and regions.
Although still the case, the Texas Department of State Health Services announced in a report dated Sept. 17 that VZC has seen its first confirmed case of the West Nile Virus.
According to the DSHS, “West Nile virus is a mosquito-borne illness. Up to 80 percent of people infected with West Nile virus will have no symptoms. However, some infections can result in serious illness or death. People over 50 years of age and those with weakened immune systems are at a higher risk of becoming seriously ill if they become infected with the virus.”
The VZC case of West Nile Virus has been classified as being a confirmed case of West Nile fever, often characterized by symptoms that can include headache, fever, muscle and joint aches, nausea and fatigue.
In extremely rare cases, West Nile Virus will cause “West Nile neuroinvasive disease, a life threatening illness that can cause neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness and paralysis.
