West Nile virus-carrying mosquitoes have been found in nearby Fort Bend County, raising alerts for our community to protect against mosquito bites. So far, no local human cases have been reported in Texas. Most people bitten experience mild flu-like symptoms, but severe illness affecting the brain can occur rarely. Back in ’12, a Wharton County resident near El Campo died from West Nile, and another was sickened within El Campo city limits. Residents are urged to take simple steps to reduce mosquito breeding around their homes.