FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Glenn Bailey, Environmental Health Manager                                                                                July 13, 2006

Ph: 325-437-4589 Fax: 325-734-3300                                                                                                       News Release #060705

E-mail: glenn.bailey@abilenetx.com

OR Pam Percival, Information Coordinator

Ph: 325-676-6677 E-mail: pam.percival@abilenetx.com

West Nile confirmed in Abilene mosquitoes

            ABILENE, Texas – The City of Abilene has received test results that confirm the presence of West Nile Virus in adult mosquitoes from the Abilene/Taylor County area.

            The Texas Department of State Health Services notified the City’s Environmental Health section on July 12 that one of the individual samples of adult mosquitoes submitted from Abilene has tested positive for West Nile Virus.  The collection of adult mosquitoes was trapped in the Grand Ave. area and submitted on July 5.

“We’d like to remind the public that West Nile Virus is here to stay and that the public should continue to take precautions to avoid exposure to mosquitoes,” said Abilene-Taylor County Health District Health Authority Dr. Zane Travis.  “People should remember the five Ds: avoid outdoor activities during the primary mosquito feeding times of Dusk and Dawn; Dress in long sleeves and long pants if outdoors during dusk and dawn; Drain all standing water from containers that will hold water more than three to five days; and use an  Environmental Protection Agency-registered insect repellent such as those with DEET, picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus. Even a short time being outdoors can be long enough to get a mosquito bite. Be sure to read labels carefully for instructions on proper use with young children.”

        The City is currently spraying neighborhoods for mosquitoes on a request basis. Abilene residents who want to put their neighborhoods on the list for mosquito spraying may phone the City of Abilene Environmental Health section at 437-4590 or sign up online at www.abilenetx.com.

For more information on West Nile Virus, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Web site at http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/index.htm 

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