Texas's Second West Nile Virus Fatality Confirmed

Dallas County Health and Human Services (DCHHS) today reported the first West Nile Virus (WNV) death in Dallas County, Texas, for the 2023 season.

The patient was a female resident in the City of Irving diagnosed with West Nile Neuroinvasive Disease.

This is the second WNV human death reported in Texas this year.

For 2023, a total of one hundred and sixty-seven mosquito traps have tested positive for WNV.

Over the last five years, Texas has had 485 WNV cases and 65 related deaths.

“It’s very sad to report the first West Nile Virus death this season,” said Dr. Philip Huang, Director of DCHHS, in a press release on August 9, 2023.

“This again reminds us how important it is to protect against mosquito bites that can carry multiple diseases like WNV. Mosquito activity remains high in Dallas County.”

DCHHS says most people exposed to WNV don’t get sick, but about 20% develop symptoms like headache, fever, muscle and joint aches, nausea, and fatigue. In a small proportion, less than 1%, the virus affects the nervous system, leading to the more severe West Nile neuroinvasive disease that can cause neck stiffness, disorientation, tremors, convulsions, paralysis, and even death.

Aedes albopictus and Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, which transmit WNV, are currently circulating in Texas and remain active in much of Texas into November and December.

As of August 9, 2023, no U.S. FDA-approved WNV vaccines are available.