DARS, DSHS, and DADS to provide ASL videos about West Nile Virus
Prevention
To watch ASL Videos, go to this link
— http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/TxWestNile/ASLs/
The Texas Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services has
partnered with the Department of State Health Services and Department
of Aging and Disability Services to produce two American Sign Language
videos about West Nile Virus Prevention measures.
The Texas Department of State Health Services urges people to take
precautions to reduce the risk of contracting West Nile virus, a
mosquito borne illness. People should use insect repellent when
outdoors and avoid going outside at dusk and dawn. There has been a
higher than usual number of human West Nile cases in Texas this year
due to the warm winter and recent rains, particularly in the North
Texas region.
Additional West Nile Virus information can be found at
http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/idcu/disease/arboviral/WestNile/ and
http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/TxWestNile/PSAs/.
This link takes you to videos in American Sign Language that provide
information on preparing for natural disasters and other health
emergencies.
WEST NILE VIRUS MESSAGES
The Department of State Health Services has asked Health and Human
Service agencies to disseminate the following messages:
PREVENTION
Take the following precautions:
* Use an approved insect repellent every time you go outside and follow
the instructions on the label. Approved repellents are those that
contain DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus.
* Regularly drain standing water, including water that collects in
empty cans, tires, buckets, clogged rain gutters, and saucers under
potted plants. Mosquitoes breed in stagnant water.
* Wear long sleeves and pants at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most
active.
* Use air conditioning or make sure there are screens on all doors and
windows to keep mosquitoes from entering the home.
* Texans who are elderly and those with chronic medical conditions or
compromised immune systems are more vulnerable to developing West Nile
illness if they are bitten by an infected mosquito.
* There is no effective treatment for West Nile Virus illnesses, so
it’s important to prevent mosquito bites.
COMMUNITY
* Help neighbors who are elderly, have disabilities or access and
functional needs to repair their windows or door screens to keep
mosquitoes out and with other precautions to reduce their risk of
becoming ill.
* Also remember other Texans with access or functional needs in your
communities who may need assistance in reducing their risk of illness.
SPRAYING ACTIVITY
* The majority of Dallas county areas are performing enhanced
ground-based spraying.
* There will be aerial spraying over a large area of Dallas County
during the next few days.
* Aerial spraying is a very effective and safe way to kill adult
mosquitoes in large, densely populated areas.
* We understand that many people have concerns about exposure during
aerial spraying; for those people, health officials suggest the
following precautions:
* Minimize exposure. Avoid being outside, close windows, and consider
keeping pets inside while spraying occurs.
* If skin or clothes are exposed, wash them with soap and water.
* Rinse homegrown fruits and vegetables with water as a general
precautionary measure.
* Cover small ornamental fish ponds.
Because the chemical breaks down quickly in sunlight and water, no
special precautions are suggested for outdoor swimming areas.