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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/.