EAST TEXAS (KYTX) - Texas is the hardest hit state for West Nile virus, with 20 deaths tied to the illness and the first West Nile death in East Texas.
The Northeast Texas Health District says a Gregg County man died at a Shreveport hospital, but they won't release his age or identity. People in the Gregg County area are shocked by the death.
" think it's pretty serious." says Vanessa Johnson. "I just don't feel as comfortable as I used to, as far as going out in the late evenings or things like that."
Johnson is not alone.
"It's certainly a great concern in the community." says Darrell Rowe. "While we're thankful for the rain, we know that the rain breeds mosquitoes."
And Rowe says what happened in Gregg County- where he lives- is too close for comfort.
"My heart goes out to the family of the victim involved." he says.
Six human West Nile cases have been confirmed in Angelina County. Five more in Gregg County. And Smith, Van Zandt, Henderson, Panola and Rusk Counties each have one confirmed human case.
"We are seeing an increase compared to previous years." says Stephanie Taylor with the Northeast Texas Public Health District
She says most West Nile deaths are not from West Nile fever, but from the form of the disease that targets the brain and spinal cord.
"Which is the more severe type of West Nile." she says. "Some of those symptoms may include memory loss, dizziness, confusion, vision issues."
Russell Hopkins with the Northeast Texas Public Health District says very rarely are West Nile cases deadly like the one here in Gregg County. He says only about 1% of people infected go to the hospital or die from the virus.
"Just lots of mosquitos this year and just a real unusual year." says Hopkins.
"It's a real thing. You need to take it serious."
That's why Lee Kinlaw wears insect repellant daily.
"I get a can about once a week. It helps me out. They don't bite me. It's about $4.50 and this can is worth your life."
The average age of people who die from West Nile in Texas is about 79. Doctors say the disease is passed to humans by mosquitoes that have bitten infected birds, but it cannot be spread from human to human.
