West Nile cases increasing in Texas

Dallas County is reporting a fifth person has been sickened by the West Nile virus, a disease transmitted by mosquitoes.

Driving the news: A man living in the 75248 ZIP code in northern Dallas has been diagnosed with the West Nile virus neuroinvasive disease, the most severe form of infection.

Why it matters: Most cases of the virus in humans are asymptomatic, and about 1 in 5 people develop a fever, per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

• About 1% of infected people develop neuroinvasive infection, which can be fatal.

Flashback: The state's first human case this year was confirmed on July 10 in Dallas County.

• Denton and Tarrant counties have reported their first cases in the past two weeks.
• Last year, there were 42 human cases of West Nile and seven deaths statewide.
• In the past five years, 65 people have died from the West Nile virus in Texas.

Details: Most of the cases of West Nile virus found in Texas mosquitoes this summer have been reported in Dallas and Tarrant counties, per statewide health data.

• Both counties have already reported more than twice as many cases found in mosquitoes than all of last year.

Zoom out: Arizona has the most reported cases of West Nile virus human disease in 2023 at 43, per the CDC.

• South Dakota and Texas both have the next most cases reported to the CDC with five each.

What to do: Wear mosquito repellent and long, loose clothing when outside. Drain any standing water around your home where mosquitoes can lay eggs.

• Avoid going outside around sunrise and sunset when mosquitoes are most active.