The City of Denton, Texas, is ramping up its defense against the mosquito-borne West Nile virus after officials confirmed its presence in two local parks. Mosquitoes from Denia Park and South Lakes Park tested positive for the virus. With this finding, the city’s West Nile virus risk level has been bumped up to level 4, as per the City of Denton.
In response to the situation, heightened surveillance measures are being rolled out at the affected sites, in addition to their ongoing efforts of routinely checking the adult mosquito population. While no human cases have surfaced so far, the risk of an outbreak is considered moderate to high, especially for individuals over 50 and those with weakened immune systems. The city urges residents to take proactive steps such as draining standing water, staying indoors during peak mosquito hours, wearing long clothing, and using insect repellent.
West Nile virus can lead to severe health issues, including neurological complications. Despite most infected people showing no symptoms, those who do could experience a range of ailments from headaches and muscle pain to stiff necks and seizures. Given the severity of potential symptoms, health officials strongly advise seeking medical attention if any aforementioned signs manifest…