The official website of the City of Mansfield, Texas

The City of Mansfield was notified by the Tarrant County Health Department that a resident of Mansfield has been hospitalized, and is currently being treated for West Nile Virus infection.

It is unclear at this time where this resident may have contacted mosquitoes carrying the disease. The City has partnered with the Tarrant County Health Department to conduct mosquito testing at various sites throughout the City. None of the mosquitoes collected have been detected to be carrying the virus.

It is important to remember recommendations for personal protection:

• Avoid outdoor activities at dawn and dusk.
• Drain any standing water in and around your homes. Mosquitoes use stagnant pools of water for breeding.
• Dress in long sleeves and pants when conducting outdoor activities
• Use an effective mosquito repellant, preferably one containing DEET, Picaridin or Permethrin.

There are approximately 23 species of mosquitoes in the North Central Texas area, and only one is of primary concern related to West Nile Virus. The Culex sp. mosquito is the one most commonly associated with West Nile Virus. This mosquito is highly active around dawn and dusk, and typically prefers to bite around the ankles.

The Culex species of mosquito typically only lives for around 2 weeks; however, new mosquitoes can be born everyday. These new mosquitoes would first have to bite an infected bird in order to transfer the virus to a human.

Is the City going to spray for mosquitoes? No. Spraying pesticides to control adult populations for mosquitoes is not an effective means of long term control. The most effective means for preventing West Nile Virus infections is for persons engaged in outdoor activities at high risk times to follow the personal protection recommendations.

City staff will continue to evaluate the situation, and if more information indicates the potential for a West Nile Virus outbreak, the City would take appropriate measures to respond.

It is extremely important for those who are over 50, under 15 and any one with a compromised immune system to avoid outdoor activities around dawn and dusk and to wear appropriate clothing and use repellants if engaging in outdoor activities at any time of the day.

Symptoms typically begin to show up from 3 to 15 days after being bitten by a mosquito carrying the virus. Symptoms are very similar to the flu and can include: fever, severe headache, light sensitivity, stiff neck, confusion and muscle weakness. If these symptoms begin, seek medical care as soon as possible, as with most diseases early detection and treatment can increase recovery success.

For more information about the City's mosquito program, how you can protect yourself and your family and how the City monitors West Nile, please follow this link: http://www.mansfield-tx.gov/departments/streets/mosquito/.

The Friends of the Mansfield Public Library is pleased to announce a new program - Mansfield Writes!

On Saturday November 1st at the Mansfield Public Library , in conjunction with National Authors Day, the Friends will host a panel of local writers, each of whom will speak on a writing-related topic ranging from "Finding Your Voice" and "Failing Your Way to Success" to "Writing in Multiple Genres" and many more. After the author presentations, the panel will be available to answer questions and sign books, which will be available for sale on site. This will be a great chance not only to support your local library, but also to stock up on autographed books for yourself or those readers on your holiday shopping list.

Featured authors include Rachel Caine, Carole Nelson Douglas, P.N.
Elrod, Tim Madigan, Martha Moore, Laurie Moore, Celya Bowers, Kennedy Shaw, Janis Susan May, Juliet Burns, and Angela Cavener.

Details about the event and featured authors can be found on the "Mansfield Writes" page of the Friends' website, www.FriendsofMansfieldLibrary.org. Links to the authors' websites can also be found on that page.

The presentations will begin at 10:30. The book signing will begin at approximately 12:30. The event is free and open to the public.

Those planning to attend the event can register by simply sending an e-mail with their name and "Register" in the subject line to Friends@FriendsofMansfieldLibrary.org. Those planning to attend the book signing only do not need to register.

As of September 9, 2008, 4:00 p.m. the burn ban for the City of Mansfield is lifted. Please keep in mind that a burn permit is required before conducting opening burning within the City of Mansfield. If you need information on open burning in general or permits to conduct opening burning, contact the Mansfield Fire Administration office at 817-276-4790.