American Sign Language West Nile Virus Prevention Measure Videos and Guidance

The Texas Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services has partnered with the Department of State Health Services and Department of Aging and Disability Services to produce two American Sign Language videos about West Nile Virus Prevention measures.

The Texas Department of State Health Services urges people to take precautions to reduce the risk of contracting West Nile virus, a mosquito borne illness. People should use insect repellent when outdoors and avoid going outside at dusk and dawn. There has been a higher than usual number of human West Nile cases in Texas this year due to the warm winter and recent rains, particularly in the North Texas region.

Additional West Nile Virus information can be found at http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/idcu/disease/arboviral/WestNile/  and http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/TxWestNile/PSAs/. 

This link takes you to videos in American Sign Language that provide information on preparing for natural disasters and other health emergencies.

WEST NILE VIRUS MESSAGES

The Department of State Health Services has asked Health and Human Service agencies to disseminate the following messages:

PREVENTION

  • Take the following precautions:
    • 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.
  • The elderly and those with chronic medical conditions or compromised immune systems are more vulnerable to developing West Nile illness if they are bitten by an infected mosquito.
  • There is no effective treatment for West Nile Virus illnesses, so it’s important to prevent mosquito bites.

COMMUNITY

  • Elderly neighbors may need help repairing their windows or door screens to help keep mosquitoes out and with other precautions to reduce their risk of becoming ill.
  • Also remember the less fortunate in your communities who may need assistance in reducing their risk of illness.

SPRAYING ACTIVITY

  • The majority of Dallas county areas are performing enhanced ground-based spraying.
  • There will be aerial spraying over a large area of Dallas County during the next few days.
  • Aerial spraying is a very effective and safe way to kill adult mosquitoes in large, densely populated areas.
  • We understand that many people have concerns about exposure during aerial spraying; for those people, health officials suggest the following precautions:
  • Minimize exposure. Avoid being outside, close windows, and consider keeping pets inside while spraying occurs.
  • If skin or clothes are exposed, wash them with soap and water.
  • Rinse homegrown fruits and vegetables with water as a general precautionary measure.
  • Cover small ornamental fish ponds.
  • Because the chemical breaks down quickly in sunlight and water, no special precautions are suggested for outdoor swimming areas