West Nile Virus Case Confirmed in Midland County
MIDLAND, Texas (October 26, โฃ2025) -โ Midland Health Services โคhas announced theโข frist โconfirmed โcase ofโ West โคNile Virus โ(WNV) in a midland County resident this โฃyear. โคCounty โofficials โคreport the virus is โขspread through the bite of infected mosquitoes.
Mosquitoes become carriers afterโข feeding on birdsโ that carry the virus. While concerning, health officials emphasize that West Nile Virus cannot be transmittedโ directly from person to person.
The vast majority – approximately 80% – of individuals infected with WNV experience no symptoms at all. Though, those whoโ do become ill may suffer โคfrom โคheadache, fever, โคmuscle adn joint pain, nausea, and fatigue.โฃ
In rare instances, roughly โฃ1 in 150 infected individuals can develop more severe complications involving the centralโข nervous system.โ These can include serious symptoms like neckโค stiffness, disorientation, coma, tremors, โconvulsions, muscle weakness, paralysis, meningitis, and โขencephalitis. Sadly, fatalities are possible,โค though uncommon.
Currently,there are no specific medications or vaccines availableโ to โtreat or โprevent West Nile Virus. Treatment โคfocuses โon โsupportive care, including rest, increased fluid intake, and โover-the-counter painโ relievers to manage symptoms.
Individuals aged 50โข and older, as well as those with pre-existing health conditions, โare consideredโ to be at a higher risk โคof developing severe illness from WNV.
Anyone experiencing symptoms consistent with West Nile Virus,particularly after โคrecent mosquitoโฃ bites,is stronglyโ encouraged toโ contact theirโฃ healthcare provider immediately.
Midland โCounty residentsโข are urged โto take proactive steps to โminimize their risk โขof โexposure:
Utilize insectโ repellents registered with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
โ Wear protective clothing, such as long โฃsleeves andโฃ pants, when outdoors.
Ensure homes areโฃ protected from mosquitoes by โขusing air conditioning or maintaining intact window and doorโข screens.
Reduce outdoor โคactivityโ during peak mosquito hours – typically around sunrise and sunset.
Eliminate any sourcesโ of standing water aroundโ homes, as โthese โprovideโข breeding grounds for mosquitoes.
Copyrightโ 2025 KOSA.โ All rights reserved.*