The West Nile virus is making its way across Texas. KHOU reports that an elderly southwest Houston man has died from the West Nile illness. The City of Houston Health Department said it was the first confirmed West Nile virus death this year. The man was between the ages of 75 and 84.

Thus far this year, there have been three reported cases of West Nile illnesses in Houston, and three in Harris County.

That's far fewer than Dallas, where 200 cases and five deaths have been reported this year. The virus has also emerged in Central Texas, with cases reported in McLennan and Travis counties.

The virus is carried by mosquitoes, which get it after biting infected birds. Mosquitos have been more plentiful this summer after our mild winter and recent heavy rains. Eighty percent of those infected with the virus have no symptoms, but one in 150 will contract a severe form of the disease.The most vulnerable to the disease are people over 55 or with weak immune systems.

Symptoms in their mild form may include fever, headache, body aches and swollen lymph nodes — signs of illness that are very often mistaken for the flu. A severe form of the disease may show symptoms such as stupor, disorientation, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, vision loss, numbness and paralysis.

Experts say residents should follow the four D's to avoid the West Nile virus:

• Dusk and Dawn: Stay indoors during dusk and dawn. This time period is when mosquitoes are more likely to carry the infection, and when they are most active.
• Dress: Wear pants and long sleeves when you are outside, especially in mosquito-infested areas.
• DEET: Apply insect repellent that contains DEET. Read and follow label instructions. Spray both exposed skin and clothing with repellent.
• Drain: Get rid of standing water in your yard and neighborhood. Old tires, flowerpots, clogged rain gutters, leaky pipes and faucets, birdbaths and wading pools can be breeding sites for mosquitoes.

At this time, experts are not recommending spraying for adult mosquitoes because officials believe this is the least effective prevention technique.

“The main thing we want is to have people do their own monitoring," said Emily Palmer, a spokeswoman for the Texas Department of Health. "Try to avoid mosquitoes if you can, but also try to realize this is a very rare disease."

There is no need to panic, but just the same, you must be vigilant. Remember, it only takes one teaspoon of water for your birdbath or overturned garbage lid to become a paradise for breeding mosquitoes and disease.

Houston health officials told KHOU the West Nile virus is nothing close to the threat that it was when it first showed up in the area a decade ago.