Though no human cases of West Nile have been reported this year, Austin Public Health confirmed the first positive West Nile pool yesterday in the 78746 ZIP code. Though mosquito activity is on the wane for the year, the city advises checking and emptying water-holding containers, wearing long-sleeved, loose-fitting and light-colored clothing and using an EPA-recommended insect repellent to thwart mosquitoes. According to a press release from Austin Public Health, “Most people infected with West Nile Virus, approximately 80 percent, show no symptoms. Those symptoms include fever, headache, tiredness, and body aches, occasionally with a skin rash (on the trunk of the body) and swollen lymph glands.” More information about dealing with mosquitoes can be found on the city website.
Elizabeth Pagano is the editor of the Austin Monitor. More by Elizabeth Pagano