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.