Public Information Office
210 S. McDonald St. Suite 540
McKinney, TX  75069

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Leigh Hornsby, Public Information Officer
972-548-4772
publicrelations@co.collin.tx.us

July 18, 2003

Collin County continues to investigate West Nile; risk to humans remains low

(McKinney, TX) - Collin County residents continue to utilize the health department’s West Nile Information Line, but reports of dead birds remain low. So far this year in Collin County, there are no diagnosed cases of West Nile in humans, birds, horses or mosquitoes. Out of the 93 dead birds reported to the county health department since May, only one blue jay and two crows have been submitted to the Texas Department of Health for further testing.

“Residents we talk with at the health department are concerned about West Nile. However, the reports of dead birds are rather low,” says Collin County nurse epidemiologist Janet Glowicz.

“Crews are trapping mosquitoes in rural areas and areas in which we have interlocal agreements, such as Wylie, Princeton and Melissa,” says Glowicz. Plano has conducted the most trapping, but there are still no mosquitoes that have tested positive for the virus.

Last year was the first year in which the virus was confirmed in the county. According to the Texas Department of Health, there was one human case in the county and no human deaths. Eighteen horses and four blue jays are known to have contracted the disease in 2002.

The county’s West Nile Information Line was implemented in the first week of May. Residents may not only report dead birds, but they may also report areas of illegal dumping and stagnant, standing water. The number is 972-548-5525. Additional information about West Nile can be found at the county’s website, www.co.collin.tx.us.

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