As we reported earlier this year
Drought May Postpone West Nile Virus Burst. the dry weather may have kept the new disease season of West Nile Virus at bay. And, perhaps we were correct.
However, according to the newly formed Public Health Department now under the City of El Paso control El Paso has already recorded its first victim of the deadly virus.
The City of El Paso , Department of Public Health has confirmed the diagnosis of the first case of West Nile Virus in El Paso County . The case involves a 65 year old male that lives in the 79935 zip code. He is out of the hospital and recovering at home.
And while the June is not too early for human infection serious enough to require hospitalization; the Public Health Department under the helm of nearly installed Mr. Michael Hill had not confirmed any West Nile Virus in mosquitoes this year. In the past the Health Department has usually confirmed infected mosquitoes months before the first confirmed diagnosis is made.
PHD indicated in a press release that "the amount of mosquitoes trapped has been minimal this year because trapping is difficult when there are high winds and rain."
For more on West Nile Virus see Dangers and Prevention.
Prepared by UVB staff.
(Photos: Brax - Valley Publishing Company)
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