Cold may help end spread of West Nile Virus
By BENJAMIN SHARP news@leader-news.com

Health department officials are hoping recent cold weather will be enough to kill off the area's mosquito population now that West Nile Virus has been found in a Wharton County horse.

Gary Johnson, with the Texas Department of State Health Services, said Tuesday colder temperatures are needed to "break the cycle" of mosquito hatching.

Warm weather and moisture - both of which have been in abundance this year in the county - are the ideal recipe for skeeter populations.

Mosquitos spread the virus to animals and humans.

"Generally, we see it (infection) really drop off at this time of the year," Johnson said.

"But we really haven't had any cold weather till last week - there's still mosquito activity."

The horse, from the East Bernard area, was brought into Wharton Veterinary Clinic last week. Dr. Carlos Bonnot said the 2-year-old Quarterhorse had muscle problems and was stumbling.

A blood sample was taken and the horse was treated symptomatically. Bonnot said Monday the horse tested positive for West Nile.

"It's surviving at this point. The outcome is good, but that's not always the case," Bonnot said.

The East Bernard horse is the first case this year of animal infection in the county. There was one locl case of human infection in August, but DSHS officials said the individual contracted the virus outside the county. The infected person recovered.

Across the state in 2007, there were 117 cases of human infection in 35 counties, according to the DSHS. There were also 30 human cases - across 15 counties - of the less severe West Nile "fever."

cases are rare

Johnson said the number of cases is decreasing in most areas, though he added San Antonio is seeing an influx of incidents. He urged Wharton County residents to continue to be cautious, despite the cold weather. That includes vaccinating horses and getting rid of any receptacles around the household that may hold standing water.

"Another two week spell of warm weather would bring about more problems," Johnson said.