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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 7, 2006

West Nile Virus associated with deaths of three elderly Collin County residents

(McKinney, TX) – West Nile Virus has been linked to the deaths of three elderly individuals with chronic illnesses living in Collin County .  So far this season, 14 cases of West Nile Virus have been reported to Collin County Health Care Services.  Two of the cases (zip codes 75074 and 75093) were identified after donating blood.  Six of the persons developed West Nile Fever.  The persons who contracted WNF reside in zip codes 75013, 75023 (2 cases), 75074 (2 cases), and 75080.  The other six persons developed neuro-invasive disease and reside in zip codes 75023, 75074 (3 cases), 75075, and 75098.

“It is important that residents understand that the risk of contracting West Nile may be higher in the fall than in the spring,” says Collin County nurse epidemiologist Janet Glowicz. “This is because the mosquitoes have been active longer with a greater chance of encountering an infected bird. Until the temperature drops below 50 degrees at night consistently the mosquitoes will continue to pose a risk.”

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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