CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — West Nile Virus is present in the Coastal Bend and residents are asked to take precautions to avoid getting bit by mosquitos.
A pool of mosquitos tested positive for the virus in Agua Dulce this week. It comes a day after a second mosquito in Kingsville tested positive.
Local health experts said there are no reported cases in people in Corpus Christi. West Nile Virus can not be transmitted from person-to-person contact.
However, in rare cases, it can be spread through a blood donation. 3NEWS spoke with the Coastal Bend Blood Center about how they test for the virus and what happens to infected donated blood.
About 80% of people with West Nile Virus will not feel anything, according to Dr. Kim Onufrak, an emergency room physician at Surepoint ER on Padre Island.
If someone is donating blood and does not know that they have it, Coastal Bend Blood Center media spokesperson Ashley Ramirez said that blood goes through an extensive testing process for diseases.
“Our main priority is making sure and ensuring that we’re providing that safe blood supply for our local residents here in our community,” Ramirez said.
Ramirez said that every donor’s blood is tested every time, and there were no positive test results for West Nile Virus at the Coastal Bend Blood Center since 2016. Since it is always a possibility, she said that it is important for them to test for that and all diseases.
She explained that not only is someone saving lives with a blood donation, it is also a health checkup for the donor.
“A lot of people that found out that they had underlining health issues that potentially saved their lives was because they donated blood,” Ramirez said.
If testing determines blood is infected, Ramirez said that it is discarded immediately.
Onufrak said that one in five people with West Nile Virus will get typical viral symptoms. That includes a fever, head and body aches, fatigue and nausea.
“I have seen lots of people with flu-like symptoms. Something to think about that West Nile could be one of the symptoms that are causing it,” Onufrak said.
If someone is confused, having seizures or limb paralysis, Onufrak said that these are severe symptoms requiring medical attention. However, she explained that usually only happens to one in 150 patients infected with West Nile Virus.
“Most of the cases are mild, you know, and the best way to prevent it is mosquito repellent and long pants and long sleeves,” Onufrak said.
Onufrak said that it is recommended to wait 120 days for West Nile Virus to clear from someone’s system before donating blood.
Ramirez added that blood donations are always needed at the Coastal Bend Blood Center. If someone is feeling healthy, she asks that they book an appointment or come to the center.