West Nile found in
League City mosquitoes

Galveston Daily News
Published - 07/30/04
by Emma Graves Fitzsimmons -Correspondent

LEAGUE CITY - A group of mosquitoes infected with West Nile virus was found in League City Thursday, a day after health officials reported the disease's first appearance in the county on Galveston Island.

"Residents should not panic," said Kurt Koopmann, spokesman for the Galveston County Health District. "Simply be aware that the West Nile virus is in the county as it has been the past several mosquito seasons."

No one in the county has contracted the virus in 2004. Last year's one human case fully recovered. A Beaumont man died July 13 in one of only two Texas cases this summer.

Mosquitoes infected from feeding on birds carrying the disease can transmit the virus to humans. But less than 1 percent of those bitten by infected mosquitoes become severely ill.

Officials said avoiding mosquito bites is the key to preventing the illness. They suggest staying indoors after dark, draining standing water and using insect repellent with DEET.

For More Information Contact:
Kurt Koopmann
Public Information Officer
Galveston County Health District
(409) 938-2211
kkoopman@gchd.org