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Dallas County: First Human West Nile Case For '13

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Dallas County reports its first human case of West Nile virus this year. A resident of Richardson has West Nile Fever, the less severe form of the mosquito-transmitted illness.

Last year on this date Dallas County had nearly 100 human cases.

2012 was the worst year ever for West Nile virus in Texas.

This is the third West Nile case in North Texas.  Tarrant County announced the first in June. Last week, a Denton resident was diagnosed with the illness.

Health officials remind individuals to use repellent, wear long sleeves and pants if outside at dawn and dusk – peak time for mosquitoes.  And drain standing water where mosquitoes may breed. 

Former KERA reporter BJ Austin spent more than 25 years in broadcast journalism, anchoring and reporting in Atlanta, New York, New Orleans and Dallas. Along the way, she covered Atlanta City Hall, the Georgia Legislature and the corruption trials of Louisiana Gov. Edwin Edwards.