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

September 18, 2003

Collin County West Nile Virus Update

(McKinney, TX) - The Texas Department of Health (TDH) has confirmed that a second Collin County resident has contracted the West Nile Virus. The resident has recovered at home, without hospitalization.

The first confirmed human case of West Nile Virus in Collin County during 2003 was reported on August 26th in McKinney.

Two other possible cases of West Nile Virus in Collin County are being investigated by the Texas Department of Health.

Animal cases include one horse, two crows, one blue jay, one mosquito pool.

Collin County Health Care Services urges all residents to take precautions against mosquito bites by following “The Four D’s”: Drain all standing water; dress in light-colored, long sleeve clothing when outdoors’; use a mosquito repellant that contains DEET; and stay indoors at dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active. Mosquito precautions should continue despite cooler weather, through the end of October.

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