West Nile Virus Update

Brownsville ISD is closely monitoring any developments in our area related to the West Nile Virus. District officials have been in contact with the Brownsville Health Department to ensure that areas around BISD campuses are fumigated. District coaches have also adjusted their practice and game times to avoid having students outside at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active. Here are some preventative measures that you can take: •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. For more information on West Nile virus, visit the City of Brownsville Health Department website at http://health.cob.us, call 956-542-3437, or visit the State of Texas DSHS website at www.dshs.state.tx.us/idcu/disease/arboviral/westNile/.