Tejano singer warns of West Nile dangers after mosquito bite leaves him in wheelchair
Click2Houston • • health
Key Points:
- Fort Bend County, Texas, has declared a public health emergency after detecting 32 West Nile virus-positive mosquito samples amid a record mosquito surge in southeast Texas this summer.
- Fernando Silva, a Tejano singer, was paralyzed from the neck down two years ago after contracting West Nile virus, which triggered Guillain-Barré syndrome, highlighting the severe health risks posed by mosquito-borne diseases.
- West Nile virus is the primary mosquito-borne illness of concern in Fort Bend County, but residents should also be aware of other diseases like Zika, dengue fever, and chikungunya.
- Health officials emphasize prevention through eliminating standing water where mosquitoes breed, using repellents containing DEET or similar ingredients, wearing protective clothing, and limiting outdoor activities during peak mosquito hours at dawn and dusk.
- Despite Silva's paralysis, he remains hopeful about recovery and urges others to use mosquito repellent to avoid the potentially devastating consequences of mosquito bites.
