West Nile Virus Information & Prevention:
The State of Texas has seen an increase of the West Nile virus particularly in the Dallas/Ft. Worth Metroplex. The West Nile Virus is a virus commonly found in Africa, West Asia, and the Middle East. The virus can infect humans, birds, mosquitoes, horses, and some other animals.
There have been two cases of the West Nile Virus confirmed in Cooke County, neither of them believed to be life threatening.
Although we do not believe there is a West Nile problem in our community, the City of Gainesville began proactively performing ground-based spraying for mosquitoes within the past two weeks and will continue as necessary.
PREVENTION:
•Preventing mosquito bites is the best way to avoid becoming infected with the West Nile virus. Remember the “Four D’s” of DEET: Dress, Dusk and Dawn, and Drain.
•Apply insect repellent that contains DEET. Spray exposed skin and clothing with repellent. Follow the directions on the label.
.•Dress in long sleeves and long pants when you are outside.
•Stay indoors at dusk and dawn, times when infected mosquitoes are most active.
•Drain standing water in your yard and neighborhood; old tires, flowerpots, and clogged rain gutters which are mosquito-breeding sites.
For more information, visit the link to the Texas Department of State Health Services at http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/idcu/disease/arboviral/westnile/information/
or call the City of Gainesville Emergency Management at (940)668-7777.