At Least Four Taylor County Residents Test Positive For West Nile Virus

"We know there are mosquitoes out there that are carrying the virus, so it wouldn't be additional if we saw more cases," says Larry Johnson of the Abilene Taylor County Public Health District.

Taylor County Health officials will spend the next 3 days spraying two sections of the city of Abilene, after four residents tested positive for the West Nile Virus.

"There is a protocol that we're required to follow and that is to number one find out where the general location of this is and we'll spray several blocks around those addresses," said Abilene's environmental health manager, Glenn Bailey.

The cases were found in 1 female and 3 males, ranging from 24 to 57 years of age.

"We think three of the cases were neuroinvasive disease, so they involve the neurological system."

A neuroinvasive case is the most severe strain of the virus. 
All three were treated and released from a local hospital.
the fourth, officials say, has not confirmed treatment.

Health division officials will continue to spray two quadrants of the city surrounding the areas where the infected residents live as well as continue to collect and test mosquitoes.
The last time a mosquito tested positive for the virus was August 1st.

"We send our traps off weekly since then and there have been no more laboratory results back," Bailey said.

Officials say they are taking these cases seriously and urge anyone with symptoms to see a doctor.

"I wouldn't say they should panic," Johnson says. "But they should be concerned."