September 19, 2018 (Haslet, TX)–Tarrant County Public Health
(TCPH) has confirmed the presence of West Nile Virus (WNV) in mosquito samples
collected at the community park location in Haslet. Weather permitting, Municipal Mosquito,
contracted by the City of Haslet, will begin ground spraying efforts in a
radius of one-half mile from the points of origin of the positive sample on Thursday,
September 20, 2018 and Friday, September 21, 2018. See attached map for spray
area. Ground spraying will begin at 11 p.m. and conclude by 5:00 a.m. the
following morning.
Area residents and businesses will be notified
at least 24 hours in advance before the start of the application. This notice along with a map depicting the
area to be sprayed will be posted on the city’s website at www.Haslet.org and distributed
through media and social media.
The
pesticides used in ground and aerial spraying have been declared safe for
humans and pets by the Centers for Disease Control and the Environmental
Protection Agency. For more information on aerial spraying in the City of
Haslet, please contact David Rogers, Public Works Director at (817) 307-0286.
Concerned individuals that believe they may have symptoms from aerial spraying
should immediately contact Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. Concerned
individuals may also take the following precautionary measures to minimize
exposure:
·
Avoid being outside during spraying; close windows and keep pets
inside.
·
If skin or clothes are exposed, wash them with soap and water.
Residents are strongly encouraged to take
precautions to reduce their risk of getting the virus by remembering the four
D’s:
- Drain standing water around their homes to reduce mosquito
breeding grounds. Consider use of BTI briquettes (or mosquito dunks) in
water that cannot be drained, such as small ponds and livestock drinking
troughs.
- Stay indoors at Dusk and
Dawn, when mosquitoes are most active.
- Apply an insect repellent that
contains DEET (N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide), or another EPA-recommended
product, to exposed skin and to clothing when outdoors. Other EPA-approved
repellents include picaridin and oil of lemon eucalyptus.
- Dress in pants and long sleeves when outside, but avoid
becoming too hot.
Additionally, residents should keep weeds, tall
grass, and bushes trimmed, since these are prime resting grounds for
mosquitoes.