Take Steps To Stop The West Nile Virus
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DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) - Less rain over the last month has not stopped the West Nile Virus from spreading. Officials in Dallas County confirmed on Tuesday that a man died from the mosquito-borne illness. But there are steps that you can take to protect yourself against the virus.
Workers in Dallas -- and other North Texas cities -- are trapping and testing mosquitos for the virus, and spraying areas where they find positive West Nile samples. However, there is more that DFW health officials want residents to do, because the West Nile Virus can be life threatening.
Remember the 5 D's of prevention.
-- DRAIN: Get rid of all areas of standing water.
-- DEET: Use bug spray with DEET repellant at all times when outside.
-- DRESS: Wear light-colored clothing with long sleeves and pants.
-- DUSK/DAWN: Limit your outdoor exposure at dusk and dawn.
-- DOORS: Keep your doors and window screens closed and in good repair.
The patient who died this week in Dallas County lived in the 75214 area, just west of White Rock Lake. County health officials stated that it was a man in his 80s who had some other health conditions. This was the first West Nile fatality in Dallas County this year. An older adult died from West Nile in Tarrant County earlier this month.
Dallas County Health and Human Services has identified eight West Nile cases this year, including three more announced just this week in Grand Prairie, Irving and far north Dallas.