Irving ISD Safety & Security Department

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Posted:  August 21, 2008

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

FIRST HUMAN CASE OF WEST NILE VIRUS
CONFIRMED IN IRVING

The City of Irving has been notified of its first human case of West Nile virus this season. The 63-year-old resident lives near Oak Meadow Drive in the 75061 zip code. The residential areas near that location will be sprayed beginning late this evening to reduce the risk of transmission of the virus to people.

West Nile virus is commonly carried by wild birds, and the virus can be spread to people through the bite of an infected mosquito. Residents are encouraged to take sensible precautions to avoid mosquito bites. The “Four Ds” should be practiced as follows:

• Dusk/Dawn – be cautious about outdoor activities at sunrise and sunset. Mosquitoes are most active at dawn and dusk.

• Dress – consider wearing long pants and long-sleeved shirts when outdoors.

• DEET – use insect repellants that contain the active ingredient DEET.

• Drain – be certain to drain any types of outside containers that hold water. Bird baths should be dumped and refilled twice weekly.

Irving officials use active surveillance for mosquito-borne illnesses. Each week, trapped female mosquitoes are shipped to the state health department laboratory in Austin to be tested for all known mosquito-transmitted viruses. Irving city staff responds to resident complaints, treats standing water to kill juvenile mosquitoes, and monitors the trapping results of other Dallas County cities as their test results are reported. As per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention protocol, the City of Irving conducts mosquito spraying operations when one or more of the following public health conditions becomes known:

1. When mosquito trap counts exceed a preset number.

2. When a trap sample is positive for West Nile virus.

3. When a suspected human case of West Nile virus is reported.

4. When a confirmed human case of West Nile virus is reported.