West Nile, Dengue cases identified in Cameron County

CAMERON COUNTY, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Cameron County Public Health has detected an increase of mosquito-borne disease activity in the lower Rio Grande Valley.

Health officials have identified two cases of West Nile Virus and one case of Dengue.

The three cases were locally acquired.

These are the first locally acquired mosquito-borne disease cases for Cameron County this year, according to health officials.

West Nile and Dengue, also known as Dengue Fever, are both contracted by humans through mosquito bites that carry the disease.

Symptoms in both diseases are similar:

• High fever
• Headache
• Joint pain
• Muscle and bone pain
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Rash

While people can recover from both diseases within two weeks, the symptoms may be fatal if left untreated.

Cameron County is taking preventive measures to reduce the risk of either disease spreading.

“As soon as we receive a report of a potential mosquito borne disease, we work closely with municipalities to coordinate mosquito spraying," stated Esmeralda Guajardo, Cameron County Health Administrator.

Cameron County urges residents to exercise caution:

• Apply insect repellent
• Wear long-sleeved shirts, pants and socks when going outside
• Stay indoors at dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active
• Drain standing water in your residence throughout the day (flower pots, old tires)

Health officials emphasize that both diseases cannot be spread from person to person.

For additional information on mosquito borne diseases, visit the CDC website.