Public Information Office 210 S. McDonald Street Suite 626 McKinney, Texas 75069 www.collincountytx.gov

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 10, 2006

Three additional human cases of West Nile Virus identified in Collin County

(McKinney, TX) – Three additional human cases of West Nile Virus were reported to Collin County Health Care Services today, bringing the total number of human West Nile cases for the 2006 season to eight.

The three new cases were identified after the persons donated blood. National blood donor screening for West Nile Virus was implemented in the United States in July 2003. The new persons affected with WNV reside in the 75074, 75023 and 75093 zip codes.

To help protect yourself from the West Nile Virus, the Texas Department of State Health Services recommends following the “Four D’s” of prevention as follows:

1. 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.
2. Dress in long sleeves and long pants when you are outside.
3. Stay indoors at dusk and dawn, times when infected mosquitoes are most active.
4. Drain standing water in your backyard and neighborhood; old tires, flowerpots and clogged rain gutters are mosquito-breeding sites.
   

To learn more about West Nile Virus, please visit: http://www.co.collin.tx.us/healthcare_services/west_nile/west_nile.jsp.

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