Plano, TX

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Environmental Health, Your Health

1. What is the city doing to prevent the spread of illnesses caused by mosquitos?: Mosquitoes are controlled on public property by eliminating the breeding source, applying pesticides to stagnant water and spraying as necessary for adult mosquitoes. The Vector Control Program does not treat private property for insect (or rodent) problems.

2. What can I do to help prevent the spread of illnesses caused by mosquitos?: Remember the four D’s: • Dawn to Dusk - Try to stay indoors as much as possible. If this is not possible, make sure you follow the other D's. Mosquitoes are active most of the day. •Dress in long sleeves and pants when outside to keep skin covered. •DEET- Is an ingredient to look for in your insect repellent to apply when staying outdoors. •Drain - Standing water in your yard and neighborhood (for example: old tires, flower pots, rain gutters, etc.). These are mosquito breeding sites. Keep swimming pools treated and circulated and rain gutters unclogged.

3. What is a vector?: A vector is an organism such as a mosquito (or a rat or other animal) that carries (transmits) disease-causing microorganisms from one host to another.

4. What is the West Nile Virus?: The West Nile Virus (WNV) is a form of encephalitis (inflammation of the brain), which is found in humans and birds. The virus is spread through infected mosquitoes that serve as the vector of the disease. Less than 1% of those infected with WNV will develop severe illness.

5. What are the symptoms of West Nile Virus?: After an incubation period of 3 to 15 days, symptoms often replicate the flu, beginning with headache, fever and body aches. Most infections are mild. Occasionally, skin rash and swollen lymph glands may accompany these symptoms. Severe infection is marked by headache, high fever, neck stiffness, disorientation, tremors, muscle weakness, paralysis, and rarely, death. Persons over 50 years of age carry the highest risk for contracting the disease. A physician should be consulted immediately for any health concerns.

6. How does West Nile Virus spread?: Mosquitoes become infected with West Nile Virus (WNV) when feeding on infected birds. They then carry the potential to transmit WNV when feeding on humans and animals. There is no documentation the WNV is transmitted from person-to-person or from animal-to-person.

7. What should I do if I find a dead bird in my yard?: Birds are sensitive to West Nile Virus (WNV), with crows and blue jays being the most sensitive to the disease in Texas. Increased deaths of blue jays and crows in a localized area are of concern. Remember, however, that birds routinely die of causes other than the WNV, with injury and death from predators, being a prime culprit. A dead bird can be discarded in your trash receptacle. Avoid contact with your bare hands. Use gloves or a plastic bag, and place the bird in a plastic bag, then in your trash receptacle.

8. Beside birds can other animals be infected with West Nile Virus?: Mosquitoes carry numerous diseases and parasites, which affect animals - heartworm in dogs and equine encephalitis in horses being some examples. West Nile Virus has been identified in horses, cats, chipmunks, bats, squirrels and domestic rabbits, but the vast majority of infections have been identified in birds. Normal veterinarian care should be taken with any sick or injured pet.

9. Where can I get shots/ immunizations?: The City of Plano Environmental Health Division does not administer immunizations (shots). Please contact your physician or Collin County Health Services at 972.548.5500 for information concerning immunizations.

10. What is Zika Virus?: Zika virus is an emerging mosquito-borne virus that was first identified in Uganda in 1947 in rhesus monkeys. It is spread by the bite of the Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes, and was identified in humans in 1952. Outbreaks of Zika virus disease have been recorded in Africa, the Americas, Asia and the Pacific.

11. What are the symptoms of Zika Virus?: About 1 in 5 people infected with Zika virus become ill, and you’ll typically see symptoms about two to seven days after being bitten by an infected mosquito. For those infected, the symptoms are mild — fever, rash, joint pain, or conjunctivitis (red eyes). If you’ve traveled to the affected area in the past two to 14 days, contact your health care provider, especially if you are or think you may be pregnant. Additional information can be found at texaszika.org.

12. How is the Zika Virus spread?: Zika is a virus spread primarily through the bite of an infected Aedes mosquito. This type of mosquito likes to live close to homes, are active and bite during the day, and can breed in very small amounts of water. The mosquitoes spreading the disease are the same ones that spread Chikungunya and dengue. There is no vaccine to prevent Zika or medicine to treat the infection. Zika is transmitted 5 known ways:
1. Mosquito to human
2. Human to mosquito
3. Man to woman, sexually
4. Mother to fetus
5. Blood transfusion
Additional information can be found at texaszika.org.

13. Is the Zika Virus in Texas yet?: Texas has had a small number of confirmed cases of Zika virus disease. At this time, the only Zika activity in the United States is limited to traveler-imported cases and their sexual partners.

14. Where can I find information on the Zika Virus and pregnancy?: Information on the Zika virus, including its effect on pregnancy can be found on the CDC website at cdc.gov/zika or at texaszika.org.

15. Are we going to spray for Zika?: The City of Plano will treat for Zika after a confirmed case is reported from the Collin County Health Authority.

16. What is our response if we have a positive Zika case?: The Collin County Health Department will contact the City of Plano with follow-up information regarding the general location of the human case of Zika. The City will spray adulticide in the area of the positive case.

17. What is the difference in response between Zika and West Nile Virus?: At the current time, we are trapping, identifying, and testing mosquitos for vector-borne viruses. Although the Aedes (Zika virus) and Culex (WNV) mosquitos have different behaviors, the only major difference in our response will be the size of any spray area. Because the Aedes have a short flight distance, the spray area for them will be less than that for Culex.

18. Will the pesticides hurt my family or my pets? What about other animals?: The practical approach to protecting family and pets is to reduce the exposure to the product, the products used by the City of Plano are safe when used in accordance with the directions. The City of Plano Environmental Health Division staff are licensed pesticide applicators, and typically spray adulticide in the evening hours, to limit the exposure to citizens. It is recommended to bring pets inside to reduce their exposure.