Hays County resident tests positive for West Nile virus

A person in Hays County tested positive for West Nile virus, according to the Hays County Health Department.

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HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — A person in Hays County tested positive for West Nile virus (WNV), according to the Hays County Health Department (HCHD).

HCHD said this was the first reported human case for the 2024 season in the county.

According to the health department, the patient was a resident of the 78610 ZIP code and was diagnosed with West Nile Fever.

The county said it would continue to conduct mosquito pool traps and health surveillance to promote health and safety.

“West Nile virus is not contagious and that humans are ‘dead-end host,’ humans are not capable of transmitting the virus to other individuals,” Hays County Epidemiologist Ian Harris reminded residents.

What is West Nile virus?

WNV is a disease spread by the bite of an infected mosquito. The infected mosquitoes can then transmit the virus to humans and animals. Severe WNV infections can cause neurologic complications such as encephalitis and/or meningitis.

Symptoms of WNV infection can include:

• Fever
• Headache
• Body aches
• Joint pain
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Skin rash on the torso of the body
• Swollen lymph nodes

Additional symptoms for individuals 50 and older and/or with compromised immune systems include:

• Stiffness
• Disorientation
• Coma
• Tremors
• Vision loss
• Paralysis
• Death (in extremely rare cases)