FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Richard Hill
Senior
Public Information Officer
Tarrant County Public Health
817-321-5306 direct
817-401-5967 cell
rwhill2@tarrantcounty.com
July 15, 2020 (Tarrant County, TX) – West Nile Virus (WNV) has
reemerged as a current health threat in North Texas. Tarrant County
Public Health is advising residents to take extra care as WNV cases
increase across the county. Public Health Director Vinny Taneja said
precautions against WNV are particularly important during the current
pandemic.
“It’s prudent to stay focused on protecting
against COVID-19, and although mosquitos do not carry the COVID-19
virus, we don’t want to minimize the dangers of West Nile right now,”
Taneja said. The symptoms are similar and since it can be hard to tell
the difference, he encouraged residents to see a doctor if they
experience fever, cough or sore throat. “We want to remind everyone
to protect themselves against mosquitos by wearing long sleeves and
pants and using repellents when outside,” he said.
Tarrant County Vector Control Supervisor Nina Dacko said most of the
positive mosquito results have been in northeast Tarrant County. “In
2018 and 2019, the number of positive mosquito pool samples were very
low, which is cause for concern this summer,” Dacko said.
“Environmental factors are ripe for the virus to make a big comeback
and recent rains also allow more mosquitos to thrive in hot weather
like Texas is experiencing right now,” she said.
Here is a list of mosquito repellents endorsed by the FDA and CDC. Tarrant County Public Health also has more information about West Nile Virus and other preventive measures residents can take at Be Mosquito Free.
County Telephone Operator 817-884-1111
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