***UPDATE August 14, 2014: Brazoria County Mosquito Control will be doing aerial spraying in Pearland today (8.14.14), Friday (8.15.14) and Monday (8.18.14)  morning due to confirmed presence of West Nile Virus in tested mosquitoes. ***

The City of Pearland is urging residents to take steps to prevent West Nile virus infections. Outbreaks of West Nile virus disease occur each summer in the United States.

West Nile virus is transmitted to people by infected mosquitoes. In the United States, most people are infected from June through September, and the number of these infections usually peaks in mid-August. Many factors impact when and where outbreaks occur, such as weather, numbers of mosquitoes that spread the virus, and human behavior.

County officials are taking preventative measures to ensure the safety of residents. Brazoria County Mosquito Control District is currently conducting aerial and truck spraying. Spraying occurs in the early morning and evening hours just before and after dusk and dawn. Harris County provides targeted spraying in affected areas and Ft. Bend County’s Road & Bridge Department has a fleet of vehicles responsible for mosquito control utilizing the ULV spraying method.

While your county officials are taking measures to keep you safe, the best way to prevent West Nile virus disease is to:

• Avoid mosquito bites.
• Use insect repellents when you go outdoors.
• Wear long sleeves and pants during dawn and dusk.
• Install or repair screens on windows and doors. Use air conditioning, if you have it.
• Empty standing water from items outside your home such as flowerpots, buckets, and kiddie pools.

According to the Center for Disease Control, approximately 1 in 5 people who are infected with West Nile virus will develop symptoms such as fever, headache, body aches, joint pains, vomiting, diarrhea, or rash. Less than 1 percent will develop a serious neurologic illness such as encephalitis or meningitis (inflammation of the brain or surrounding tissues). About 10 percent of people who develop neurologic infection due to West Nile virus will die. People over 50 years of age and those with certain medical conditions, such as cancer, diabetes, hypertension, kidney disease, and organ transplants, are at greater risk for serious illness.

People with milder illnesses typically recover on their own, although symptoms may last for several weeks. In more severe cases, patients often need to be hospitalized to receive supportive treatment, such as intravenous fluids, pain medication, and nursing care. Anyone who has symptoms that cause concern should contact a health care provider.

For more information on spraying, please visit one of the following Web sites: Brazoria County, Harris County or Ft. Bend County. For additional resources and tips, log on to pearlandtx.gov/westnile.