Denton County reports second West Nile case and first death

On Tuesday, public health officials in Denton County reported the second case of West Nile virus in the county this year, as well as the first death from the virus in the county.

Officials said the person lived in northwest unincorporated Denton County and was diagnosed with West Nile Neuroinvasive Disease, a severe form of the virus. To protect the person's confidentiality, his name has not been released.

Juan Rodriguez, deputy director and chief epidemiologist at the Denton County Health Department, said in a press release that authorities are urging citizens to take preventive measures to avoid contracting the disease.

“We have seen more positive mosquito traps in recent weeks, indicating an increasing risk of West Nile virus infection, as we saw with our second human case and first death of the season,” Rodriguez said.

Preventive measures include draining standing water in yards and residential areas to eliminate mosquito breeding grounds, wearing long-sleeved clothing and long pants outdoors, and using an EPA-approved insect repellent.

Officials throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area have repeatedly warned the public about mosquito samples testing positive for West Nile virus. As of Aug. 12, Tarrant County has reported one death from the virus among 28 cases this year, while Dallas County has reported one death among 11 cases this year as of Aug. 16.

According to official data, mosquitoes that can transmit the virus are most active during sunrise and sunset.