Montgomery County officials are urging residents to take measures to reduce the likelihood of mosquito bites after the first local case of the West Nile Virus in 2013 was reported Aug. 16.

The Montgomery County Hospital District announced the first reported case was a 48-year-old resident of North Montgomery County who was "doing well," according to a press release. Symptoms of the West Nile Virus—a disease spread through mosquitos bites—include flu-like symptoms with a moderate to high fever, headache, muscle weakness, fatigue and nausea, while severe signs include seizures, paralysis and respiratory symptoms.

Symptoms usually appear five to 15 days from the time a person is bitten, the press release states.

Montgomery County and The Woodlands Township urge residents to take steps to avoid getting bitten by mosquitoes. The county urges residents to wear long pants and long-sleeve shirts when outdoors, use insect repellent which contains DEET, prevent mosquitoes from entering homes through doors and windows, pick up debris and litter from yards which can hold standing water and keep rain gutters and storm sewers clean to reduce mosquito breeding.

"Using mosquito repellant isn't the only thing you can do to fend off the virus," said Dr. Syed Ibrahim, chief epidemiologist at the Montgomery County Public Health Department. "Residents also need to wear protective clothing when outdoors, and make their home unattractive to mosquitoes by emptying containers that may collect rainwater and sprinkler water."

The Harris County Public Health & Environmental Services has also reported a sample of mosquitoes in North Harris County that tested positive for West Nile Virus. Protocol following a positive test includes street spraying three times a week within a wide radius of the trap site, and the Village of Creekside Park in The Woodlands is within the targeted zone to receive spraying.

The Woodlands Township Environmental Services Department urged residents to stay indoors from dusk until dawn when disease-carrying mosquitoes are most active and emphasized the need to eliminate locations for possible standing water on their property.

"Eliminating standing water goes a long way to controlling nuisance and disease-carrying mosquitoes," said Lynne Aldrich, manager of environmental services for The Woodlands Township. "Pop the lid on your water meter box. If water from irrigation or rain stands for more than three or four days, treat with a larvicide, such as mosquito dunks."

As overwatering can lead to standing water for mosquito breeding sites, residents should set sprinkler systems to water no more than twice a week on designated watering days.

For information about eliminating breeding sites and selecting a repellent, go to The Woodlands Township website at www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov.