061820 Press Release - City Entered Risk Level 3 of Mosquito Plan -- - -------------
`(4FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DENTON Ryan Adams • (940) 349-8565 • Ryan.Adams@cityofdenton.com
City Entered Risk Level 3 of Mosquito Surveillance and Response Plan
First Mosquito Sample to Test Positive for West Nile Virus this Year
DENTON, TX,June 18,2020—On June 18, 2020, the City of Denton entered Risk Level 3 —
Public Health Concern of the Mosquito Surveillance and Response Plan. Risk Level 3 was
triggered because a sample of mosquitoes collected on June 15 from a trap located at the IOOF
Cemetery on Fort Worth Drive and Eagle Drive tested positive for West Nile virus. "This is the
first sample that has tested positive for West Nile virus in the City of Denton this year," said
Deborah Viera, Assistant Director of Environmental Services for the City of Denton. Under the
Mosquito Surveillance and Response Plan, Risk Level 3 indicates that the probability of a person
contracting a mosquito-borne disease like West Nile virus is low to moderate.
At Risk Level 3, the City will continue to conduct routine surveys of adult mosquitoes, which
will be identified to species level and screened for the presence of viruses. The locations where
disease-carrying mosquitoes were captured will be indicated on a map that is available on the
City of Denton's website at www.cityofdenton.com. The amount of biological agents (Bti)
applied to kill mosquito larva will be increased over previous Risk Level amounts. The City will
also increase public education emphasizing source reduction,personal protection, and disease
symptoms.
While the City is working proactively to control mosquito populations and lower the threat of
West Nile virus, citizen involvement is essential. "Mosquito control efforts in past seasons have
been successful, which would not have been possible without the source reduction and
larviciding efforts of Denton citizens," said Viera.
Eliminating breeding grounds is the most important and effective mosquito prevention measure.
Help the City control Denton's mosquito population by eliminating standing water from these
and other areas and your property.
• Open trash/recycling carts • Tires
• Boats and pool covers • Piles of trash or debris
• Fountains and bird baths
• Clogged rain gutters
• Low areas
• Water bowls for pets
• Buckets and barrels
• Flower pots and saucers
• Leaky hoses
• Wagons and other toys
• Ponds
•Neglected pools
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The City of Denton Water Utilities Department has a limited supply of Bti briquettes that
residents can pick up in limited quantities (two per resident) while the supply lasts. Residents
will be required to show their driver's license or a current City of Denton utility bill to prove
Denton residency.
City Bti distribution locations:
• Customer Service, located at City Hall East, 601 E. Hickory St., Ste F. (Corner of Hickory
Street and Railroad Avenue); Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• City of Denton Composting, located at 1100 S. Mayhill Rd. in the Pecan Creek Water
Reclamation Facility; Tuesday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Detailed information about the steps residents can take to reduce the mosquito population and
increase their protection against West Nile virus can be found at www.cityofdenton.com. Other
resources include the Texas Department of Health Services website at www.dshs.state.tx.us and
the Denton County Health Department website at www.dentoncounty.com/wnv.
Contact: Deborah Viera, (940)349-7162,Deborah.Viera@cityofdenton.com
Visit www.cityofdenton.com for more news and to stay updated.