Dallas County health officials confirm two new cases of West Nile virus on Tuesday, bringing the county's total for 2016 up to 44 cases.
The latest cases involve a resident of the 75051 ZIP code in Grand Prairie and a resident of the 75225 ZIP code in Dallas. Both were diagnosed with West Nile neuroinvasive disease, according to Dallas County Health and Human Services.
Additional information was not released in order to protect the identities of the patients involved.
There have been two deaths from West Nile virus this year in Dallas County, and officials warn to stay vigilant against mosquito bites by following the "4Ds."
- Dress in long sleeves, pants when outside: For extra protection, spray thin clothing with repellent.
- DEET: Make sure this ingredient is in your insect repellent.
- Drain standing water in your yard and neighborhood: Mosquitoes can develop in any water stagnant for more than three days.
It has been recommended in the past that to avoid mosquito bites you should avoid being outdoors during Dusk and Dawn (the 4 Ds). While this is true for mosquitoes that commonly carry the West Nile virus, other types of mosquitoes that are more likely to carry Zika, dengue and chikungunya are active during the day. When outdoors, no matter what time of day, adjust your dress accordingly and wear insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus as your first line of defense against insect bites.
