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Collin County Health Care Services and Collin County
Development Services are working cooperatively to combat, investigate
and educate the public about potential cases of West Nile Virus.
Although no cases have been detected in the county this year, work has
been underway for months preparing for warm temperatures and humid conditions,
which often provide prime conditions for mosquitoes, which carry the disease.
The Collin County Health Care Services department recommends following
the "Four D's" as follows:
- Apply insect repellent that contains DEET (N, N-diethyl-m-toluamide).
Be sure to read label instructions. Spray clothing with repellent as
well as exposed skin.
- 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 backyard and neighborhood; old
tires, flowerpots and clogged rain gutters are mosquito-breeding sites.
Residents should continue to follow these recommendations until the first
freeze this fall.
Residents may report standing water, illegal dumping, and increased mosquito
activity through the County's West Nile Hotline at 972-548-5525.
The Texas Department of Health (TDH) confirmed three
human cases of West Nile Virus in Collin County last year and there were
no human deaths. Three additional persons also screened positive
for West Nile Virus in 2003.
For additional information, please visit the following resources provided
by the Texas Department of Health website:
What
is West Nile?
Frequently
asked questions about West Nile
2003
West Nile Statistics in Collin County
West
Nile Information for Healthcare Providers
CDC West Nile Virus Homepage
Potential
Mosquito Breeding Grounds
Para información en español, pueden ir
a: CDC en Espaņol: Virus del Nilo Occidental.
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