HUNT COUNTY - As the threat of the West Nile virus looms, local agencies have launched a website aimed at informing citizens how to protect themselves.
Hunt County Director of Homeland Security Richard Hill says that for several weeks, emergency management staff at the state, county, and local agencies have been involved with conference calls and webinars to assimilate and distribute the best information to provide residents.
They advise it’s best if you use insect repellents containing DEET or Pidaridin, especially when outside between dusk and dawn, when mosquitoes are most active. You can also better protect yourselves by wearing long pants and long sleeve shirts and remove any standing water on your property.
Last Thursday, Hunt County officials joined with numerous other agencies to obtain information on the West Nile virus. They included the Hunt County Health Department, Greenville ISD, Commerce ISD, Hunt Regional Health Care System, City of Commerce, City of Greenville, Texas A&M University-Commerce, Oak Manor Nursing & Rehab, the Sabine Valley Amateur Radio Association, Hunt County Fire Association, and the American Red Cross.
According to Hill, the City of Commerce Emergency Management staff have worked with Hunt County staff to create an information portal for the public to use to access up to date information regarding West Nile virus. There is a calendar which will post meetings, conferences, and spray dates with times.
Throughhttp://www.westnile.info, you can navigate to .pdf files in English and Spanish with lists of ingredients shoppers should look for to ensure their repellents are the best for the purpose. Videos will be listed that provide instruction and information. Citizens that would like to receive a periodic newsletter may navigate to Visitors>Mailing List and fill in their contact information. There is also a list of emergency management staff personnel and their contact information.
