West Nile Virus Floats Around Texas

It’s that time of year when mosquitoes buzz and annoy us to no end in Amarillo. It seems like no matter where you are, they’re hovering around you, waiting to land on you for their next meal, courtesy of you.

If you have blood type O, it’s probably best to stay indoors during mosquito season. One study shows that, for some reason, this is the blood type they prefer and can detect by smell.

We now have a confirmed case of West Nile virus here in Texas, which undoubtedly means more cases are coming. The confirmed case was in Montgomery County, but given the area we live in and the number of mosquitoes that are flying around, there is always a risk that the virus could strike right here in West Texas.

The Texas Department of Public Health collected 800 mosquito samples from 24 counties that had West Nile virus. That seems like a pretty large number of samples carrying the virus, meaning there are thousands and thousands of them flying around the world carrying it.

So what are the symptoms of West Nile virus? Let’s just say that there are many and most of them present like a regular flu or cold. Fever, headache, body aches, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, etc. are all symptoms of the virus. More serious symptoms can include a stiff neck, muscle weakness, disorientation, and high fever.

Extreme cases can lead to seizures, coma and even death. So yes, it is not something to be taken lightly.

So how can you prevent mosquitoes from hanging around you? If you have standing water anywhere around your residence, try to drain it as best you can. This is their favorite place to hang out. If you are going to an area known for having a lot of mosquitoes, consider wearing long sleeves and pants, no matter the temperature outside. Wearing insect repellent is also highly recommended.