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Two more Houston residents diagnosed with West Nile virus have died. According to the city of Houston’s Health and Human Services Department, a northeast Houston woman between the ages of 55 and 74 and a southwest Houston man between the ages of 55 and 74 have died.

There has been one previous death in Houston from West Nile Virus; a southwest Houston man between the ages of 75 and 84 died in early August.

Last year, there were no deaths in Houston attributed to the West Nile Virus.

There have been 27 fatal cases in Texas in 2012, including the three in Houston. Eleven of those deaths were in Dallas County.

The other 10 Houstonians diagnosed with West Nile virus include:

– a southwest Houston woman between the ages of 55 and 74

– a southwest Houston woman between the ages of 55 and 74

– a northwest Houston man between the ages of 75 and 84

– a southwest Houston man between the ages of 45 and 54

– a southeast Houston woman between the ages of 45 and 54

– a northeast Houston woman between the ages of 35 and 44

– a northwest Houston woman between the ages of 45 and 54

– a northwest Houston woman between the ages of 55 and 74

– a northwest Houston man between the ages of 55 and 74

– a southeast Houston woman between the ages of 55 and 74

Most often, West Nile Virus is spread by the bite of an infected mosquito. Mosquitoes become infected when they feed on infected birds. Infected mosquitoes can then potentially spread West Nile Virus to humans and other animals when they bite. The virus is not known to spread through casual contact such as touching or kissing a person with the virus.

Many southeast Texas counties have been conducting intense spraying to minimize the presence of mosquitoes during this time of year. Experts are calling the pests aggressive and relentless this summer.

During peak mosquito times at dawn and dusk, experts recommend people wear long pants and shirts with long sleeves to combat being bitten by mosquitoes. Experts also encourage using insect repellant containing ingredients such as DEET, picaridin or oil of lemon-eucalyptus to ward off the insects.

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West Nile Virus Kills Two More Residents From Houston  was originally published on news92fm.com