Public Information Office
210 S. McDonald St. Suite 636
McKinney, TX  75069

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:

Leigh Hornsby, Public Information Officer 972-548-4772 lhornsby@co.collin.tx.us Steve Hill, Media relations, City of McKinney 972-54707525 shill@mckinneytexas.org

September 22, 2004

Mosquitoes test positive for West Nile in McKinney; second pool testing positive in Collin County this year

(McKinney, TX) – A mosquito pool in the 75069 zip code of McKinney has tested positive for West Nile Virus – the second detection of the virus in Collin County this year. The first case was detected in a pool of mosquitoes in the 75082 zip code of Richardson earlier this month.

Spraying will be conducted immediately by Express Pest Control in a one-mile radius in the areas of the positive mosquito pool in McKinney, said City Environmental Health Manager Lori Dees. Signs will be posted at major intersections to notify residents of spraying activity and the information will be posted on McKinney15, the City’s cable television channel.

All residents of Collin County need to remember to follow the Four D’s until the first freeze this fall. Residents should 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.

Residents may report standing water, illegal dumping and increased mosquito activity through Collin County’s West Nile Hotline, 972-548-5525. McKinney’s West Nile Information line is 972-547-7473.

The Texas Department of State Health Services confirmed three human cases of West Nile Virus in Collin County last year and there were no human deaths. Three additional persons were also screened positive for West Nile Virus in 2003. Twenty-two horses also contracted the virus last year.

West Nile infections peaked in September and October in 2003.

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