Monday September 10, 2007 (Foodconsumer.org) -- The Texas Department of State Health Services Friday September 7 confirmed 43 human cases of mosquito-borne West Nile virus and two human deaths from the disease in the State of Texas.

Among the infected, 9 people suffered West Nile fever and 34 people West Nile Neuro-invasive Disease (WNND).   The real number of the infected people should be much higher because only those who had serious symptoms came to hospital and subjected themselves to the medical examination.

People get infected with West Nile through a bite of an infected mosquito.   Mosquitoes get infected when they bite infected birds.   Personal contact such as handshaking and kissing would not spread the disease.

In 80 percent of cases, West Nile virus infection does not cause any symptoms while in 20 percent of cases, infected people show only mild symptoms.   But those who are older than 50 and those who have their immune systems compromised are at higher risk of developing a serious illness such as WNND.

In Texas so far his year, 174 mosquito samples from 19 counties, ten horses from 10 counties, and 54 birds from one county have tested positive for West Nile virus.   In 2006, the state witnessed a total of 354 human cases of West Nile virus and the virus was detected in 464 mosquito samples from 23 counties.

The state health agency advises the following to help residents avoid West Nile virus.

Stay indoors at dawn, dusk, and in the early evening.

Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants whenever you are outdoors.

Apply insect repellent sparingly to exposed skin. An effective repellent may contain 35% DEET. Repellents may bother the eyes and mouth, so try to not apply them to the hands of children.

Spray clothing with insect repellents containing permethrin or DEET, as mosquitoes may bite through thin clothing.

Whenever you use an insect repellent, be sure to read and follow the directions for use that are printed on the product label.

It does not appear that a person can get WNV from handling live or dead infected birds. However, use gloves or double plastic bags when handling any dead animals, including birds.

If you leave your house windows open, make sure they have screens.

Do not allow water to stagnate in old tires, flowerpots, trash containers, swimming pools, birdbaths, pet bowls, etc.