MEDIA ALERT: (Tuesday, July 31, 2012)
[The State grants Dallas County’s request for assistance against the spread of West Nile Virus]

[Dallas, TX] – [The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) responded to the Dallas County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management’s request for assistance with Dallas County Health and Human Services’ (DCHHS) ongoing and escalating battle with West Nile Virus, a mosquito borne illness. The state has agreed to grant our request for additional larvacide and adulticide to arrest the spread of the virus.  Dallas County will purchase the materials to broadcast the additional quantity of pesticide.]

According to the DSHS, there has been a higher than usual number of human West Nile cases in Texas this year due to the warm winter and recent rains, particularly in the North Texas region. Approximately 80 percent of the cases reside in Dallas, Collin, Tarrant and Denton counties.

Judge Clay Jenkins:  “I am pleased the state has granted our request for aid; Commissioner David Lakey and his team at DSHS are strong allies in the battle against West Nile.”  The Judge again commended the proactive work of DCHHS under the direction of Zachary Thompson and urged continued vigilance from residents, “The hard working employees of Dallas County’s Health and Human Services are doing an outstanding job.  Dallas County is ground zero for West Nile; we need your help.”

For additional information on the West Nile Virus, causes and symptoms – DSHS, go to: http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/news/releases/20120727.aspx For questions regarding DSHS please contact their Director of Media Relations Carrie Williams, directly at: 512.776.7119

We urge residents to practice the 4-D’s to protect themselves and their family:

• DEET – use insect repellents that contain DEET, or any other EPA approved insect repellent
• DRESS – Wear long, loose and light-colored clothing outside during dusk and dawn hours.
• DRAIN – Remove all areas of standing water.  Change water in wading pools, pet dishes and birdbaths several times a week.
• DUSK/DAWN – Protect yourself during dusk and dawn hours

Among the many precautions HHS has taken in the protection of residents is their ongoing testing for mosquito pools throughout Dallas County.  HHS’s West Nile Newsletter gives citizens a list of cities and their corresponding zip codes where mosquito pools have tested positive. For more information go to:
West Nile Watch.

Contact Information: Judge Clay Jenkins
214.653.7949
Clay.jenkins@dallascounty.org

Maria Arita, PIO
214.653.7150
maria.arita@dallascounty.org