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1. What is the West Nile Virus?

West Nile Encephalitis is an infection of the brain caused by West Nile Virus, a flavivirus commonly found in Africa, West Asia and the Middle East. It is closely related to St. Louis Encephalitis Virus found in the United States.

2. How do people get West Nile Encephalitis?

People become infected when mosquitoes feed on infected birds, which may circulate the virus in their blood for a few days. Infected mosquitoes can then transmit West Nile Virus to humans and animals while biting to take blood. The virus is located in the mosquito's salivary glands. During blood feeding, the virus may be injected into the animal or human, where it may multiply, possibly causing illness.

3. What can be done to prevent outbreaks of West Nile Virus?

According to the Centers for Disease Control, human illness from West Nile Virus is rare, even in areas where the virus has been reported. The chance that any one person is going to become ill from a mosquito bite is low.

You can further reduce your chances of becoming ill by protecting yourself from mosquito bites. To avoid mosquito bites:

Apply insect repellent containing DEET (N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide) to exposed skin whenever you are outdoors.

When possible, wear long-sleeves, long pants and socks when outdoors. Treating clothes with repellents containing permethrin or DEET will give extra protection, since mosquitoes may bite through thin clothing. Do not apply repellents containing permethrin directly to skin. Do not spray repellent containing DEET on the skin under your clothing.

The hours from dusk to dawn are peak mosquito biting times. Consider avoiding outdoor activities during these times, or take extra care to use repellent and protective clothing during evening and early morning.

Mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water. Limit the number of places around your home for mosquitoes to breed by getting rid of items that hold water.

Residents should:

*Get rid of old tires, tin cans, bottles, buckets, drums and other containers in your yard or keep them empty of standing water.

*Empty wading pools frequently and store them indoors when not in use.

*Repair leaky pipes and outside faucets.

*Replace your outdoor lights with yellow "bug" lights.

*Change water in birdbaths and scrub them twice a week.

*If you have outside pets, empty their watering dishes daily.

*Clean clogged roof gutters and drain flat roofs.

*Treat standing water that can't be drained with Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti), available at most home and garden stores. These briquettes are also available in the Parks and Recreation Administration at City Hall (200 South Main Street) during regular business hours and at the Municipal Service Center (501 Shady Brook Drive) during regular operating hours.

*Make sure window and door screens are "bug tight."

*Whenever possible, remain indoors at dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active.

*When outdoors, wear protective clothing or use insect repellent with the active ingredient DEET to avoid exposure to mosquitoes. Always read instructions before using insect repellent or other chemicals.

4. What is Grapevine Doing?

Grapevine is doing the following:
*Actively and systematically treating standing water in creeks and drainage easements.
*Trapping and testing mosquitoes for the West Nile Virus.
*Distributing information about eradicating the breeding grounds for mosquitoes.