West Nile Virus reported in local county Published Aug. 15, 2012 GOODFELLOW AFB, Texas GOODFELLOW AFB, Texas -- Although West Nile virus has killed one person and hospitalized three others in the most severe outbreak of the mosquito-borne disease ever seen in Tom Green County, Goodfellow's 17th Medical Group has not identified any West Nile virus cases to date. As part of its ongoing monitoring program, Goodfellow Public Health has been collecting mosquitoes from several locations around the base since Apr. 1 and none have been infected with the West Nile virus. Statewide there have been 381 human West Nile virus cases and 16 deaths reported to the Department of State Health Services this year. Over 50% of deaths were in the Dallas county area. Texas is on track to have the most cases of West Nile illness since the disease first emerged in the state in 2002. West Nile virus is a mosquito-borne illness. Up to 80 percent of people infected with West Nile virus will have no symptoms and will recover on their own. Approximately 20 percent get mild symptoms such as fever, headache, body aches, and occasionally a skin rash on the trunk of the body and swollen lymph glands. Less than 1 percent of cases can cause serious illness or death. There is no specific treatment and no vaccine for the West Nile virus infection, therefore the best management to reduce exposure is "Prevention". Goodfellow's Public Health Officer Captain Renee Jackson stated, "It's important to take precautions against being exposed to West Nile by using mosquito repellents containing DEET (common active ingredient in insect repellents), dressing in long sleeves and long pants when you are outside, staying indoors at dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active, and draining standing water where mosquitoes breed." For more information on West Nile Virus and/or education on preventing mosquito bites, please contact the 17th Medical Group's Public Health at 654-1490.
