BELL COUNTY, Texas — The Bell County Public Health District (BCPH) is encouraging residents to do their part to prevent mosquitos on their property and protect themselves after mosquitos in Bell County tested positive for West Nile Virus.
According to BCPH, six positive pools for West Nile virus were discovered in Bell County over past six weeks, three in the 76502 area code, two in the 76543 area code and one in the 76554 code.
The Public Health District said West Nile is the most common mosquito-borne disease in the U.S., and is typically spread to people through the bite of an infected mosquito. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says West Nile virus does not spread through coughing, sneezing or touching other people or live animals.
Symptoms of West Nile may include fever, headache, body aches, a skin rash on the trunk of the body and swollen lymph nodes, according to the Health District. People 50 and older or with compromised immune systems may be at higher risk for severe symptoms, which could include stiffness, disorientation, coma, tremors, vision loss, paralysis and, in rare cases, death.
“It’s the time of year when people are spending more time outdoors and knowing that we have the presence of the West Nile Virus in Bell County, it is important for our residents to take protective measures for ourselves and our families to minimize the potential for illness," said Amy J. Yeager, Bell County Public Health District Director. "Following the 4 D’s is the best way to avoid mosquito bites and minimize sources for the mosquitoes to multiply."
The four D's are a list of steps the Health District encourages residents to follow in order to protect themselves and their families. Those tips are as follows:
- DEET: Whenever you’re outside, use insect repellants that contain DEET or other EPA approved repellants and follow the instructions.
- DRESS: Wear long, loose and light-colored clothing outside.
- DRAIN: Remove all standing water in and around your home. Check places like gutters, birdbaths, tires, planters, etc.
- DUSK & DAWN: Limit outdoor activities during dusk and dawn hours when mosquitoes are most active.
Yeager says the warm, humid weather of Texas makes it an ideal living space for the mosquitos that carry West Nile.
The Bell County Public Health District said it can help provide mosquito dunks to public areas and those that would like some help on their private property can request mosquito dunks/granules as long as supplies last.
BCPH said it can treat public areas that are brought to its attention, though it is unable to to treat private property. However, BCPH said it can supply property owners with dunks and educate them on how to use them.
BCPH said its Mosquito Monitoring and Surveillance Program runs April through late November. It is currently monitoring 22 sites throughout the county in urban, suburban and rural locations.
For more information, visit the Department of State Health Services West Nile website at txwestnile.org or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website.
For more information on the Mosquito Monitoring and Surveillance Program, contact the BCPH at 254-532-9800.
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