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West Nile Virus Claims Life of North Texan

www.nzymes.com

DALLAS - A Dallas County man with an underlying health condition is the first to die this year in Texas from West Nile.

KTVT-TV reportsthe man’s age made him more susceptible to the virus, which can cause fever, headache, neck stiffness, muscle weakness and tremors. Severe symptoms are rare, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

The health department in Dallas County, where dozens of positive cases have been reported in 2012, is predicting this could be the worst year on record for West Nile. Collin and Tarrant counties are among other local entities to report positive cases of the virus.

Some cities have begun to spray for mosquitoes at night, while area municipalities like Commerceand Ladoniahave already completed two rounds of administering the insecticide.  

A total of 253 cases of West Nile have been reported in 18 counties in Texas, a majority due to mosquitoes. The Department of State Health Servicesreports that there were two fatalities due to West Nile in 2011, and 17 deaths just five years ago.

A CDC map shows Texas has more positive cases of West Nile that any other state.

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