West Nile toll in Travis reaches 3

AUSTIN (KXAN) - A third person in Travis County has died so far this year from the West Nile Virus, health officials said Friday.

The person's name was not released.

According to a statement from the Austin/Travis County Health and Human Services Department, the person had been hospitalized for more than two weeks and was older than 50. By late Friday, 56 cases of the mosquito-borne virus have been confirmed in the county. Cases have also been reported in several states nationwide.

"The average age of those who have died is 79 years old," the health department said in a statement.

• West Nile symptoms

If you experience a high fever, headache, neck stiffness, muscle weakness and disorientation please seek medical attention. These symptoms may last from a few days to several weeks and neurological effects may be permanent.

The agency "is urging that the elderly and those who have immune deficient issues be particularly vigilant and use repellent and follow additional recommended measures to reduce exposure to mosquitoes."

Officials said they've seen "a downward trend" in both humans and mosquitoes testing positive for the virus. But officials have not options such as targeted spraying both on the ground and from the air.

So far, six cases of West Nile, including one fatality, have been reported in Williamson County, four in Hays and three in Bastrop County.

To report a mosquito problem contact theRodent and Vector Control program at 512-978-0370 or e-mail echu.service@austintexas.gov . Additional information on mosquito surveillance and prevention measures is available on the city of Austin website.