• West Nile Virus (WNV) is a disease that may occur if a person is bitten by an infected mosquito.
• In areas where the virus has been found, fewer than 1% of the mosquitoes actually carry the disease and fewer than 1% of people who are bitten and infected become severely ill.
• The Texas Department of Health tests wild birds such as crows to determine the presence of WNV in an area because these birds are sensitive to the virus. The Texas Dept. of Health is no longer soliciting the submittal of dead birds for testing since WNV has been confirmed in the Metroplex area.
• WNV is not contagious-people can't give it to each other, and no evidence has been found that people can get it by handling animals.
• Mosquitoes get the virus by feeding on birds who have it and then pass it on by biting humans, birds, horses, or other mammals.
• Most people who are infected with WNV do not have any symptoms. Mild symptoms that may appear include low-grade fever and headache. Other symptoms can include swollen lymph glands, high fever, stiff neck, muscle weakness, disorientation, encephalitis, coma, and, rarely, death.
• While anyone can get WNV, people over 50 or with compromised immune systems are at the highest risk.
• If you think that you have been infected with WNV, you should contact your family doctor.

What does Flower Mound do to control mosquitoes?

• Mosquito larvae live and thrive in standing, stagnant water; therefore, Flower Mound attacks the mosquito problem at its source, treating standing water with a larvicide.
• The product used to eradicate the larvae, BTI, is environmentally safe.
• Flower Mound staff works with property owners to identify and treat bodies of standing water to prevent larvae from growing and hatching.

How does the Town respond to cases of West Nile Virus?

• Environmental Resources routinely traps and monitors mosquitoes throughout the Town during the spring and summer, and if a mosquito is found to be positive for carrying the West Nile virus, the Town responds by having a licensed mosquito control contractor spray the immediate area where the mosquito was found.
• If the Town receives notification from the Denton County Epidemiologist that an individual has been medically diagnosed as having West Nile virus, then the immediate area surrounding the address of that person is then also sprayed to kill adult mosquitoes in that area.

What can I do to help get rid of mosquitoes and reduce my risk of getting WNV?

• Wear long pants and long-sleeved shirts outdoors, especially at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most likely to be out and about, and use an insect repellent containing DEET to help prevent mosquito bites.
• Make sure window and door screens are "bug-tight."
• Check your property for standing water. Check the saucers under potted plants, roof gutters, flat roofs, old tires, toys, garbage cans and dumpsters, anything that might hold water and not be emptied out regularly.
• Clean and change the water regularly (several times per week) in birdbaths, wading pools, and pet dishes.
• Repair any leaky outdoor plumbing.
• Use yellow "bug lights" in outdoor lighting fixtures.
• Treat any standing water that can't be drained with BTI-available at most home and garden stores.
• Call Flower Mound Animal Control at 972.874.6390 if you find a dead crow or blue jay.
• Call Flower Mound Environmental Health Services at 972.874.6340 for more information or help in treating standing water.

Information about West Nile Virus Bird Testing from the Texas Department of Health