CORPUS CHRISTI (Kiii News) -
The City-County Health Department has confirmed the first West Nile death in Nueces County this year. The victim was a woman between the ages of 45-60. She died Tuesday.
The victim's daughter spoke with Kiii News briefly. Apparently the family has lost three loved ones in the past three days. When asked if she felt that the city should be doing a better job of spraying for mosquitos, she said, "No. They're doing good."
The woman who died lived in Corpus Christi, but got the disease while she was out of town.
The City's Vector Control unit traps mosquitos in different areas of town and sends them off to be tested. So far, West Nile virus has been detected in seven different locations. Four of those areas were reported Monday night.
Three new spots where mosquitos have tested positive for West Nile are Dempsey St., Carrizo and Morrow. Vector Control was spraying in those high risk areas Tuesday evening.
"We are spraying because of the West Nile virus right now," said Tony from Vector Control. "All three trucks are out in the city spraying where the virus is at. It's effective, but it takes some time."
In the meantime, it's important to make sure you drain any standing water that may be near your home. Wear bug spray with DEET, and try to avoid being outside during dusk and dawn.
So far this year, 31 people have died from West Nile virus in Texas. That includes this latest case in Nueces County.
The last known West Nile-related death in the area was reported in 2003, when a 70-year old Sinton man died.
