Zika virus causes an illness that is usually mild with symptoms lasting from several days to a week. Severe disease requiring hospitalization is uncommon, but there is increasing evidence of birth defects in newborns. Zika virus is transmitted to people primarily through the bite of an infected Aedes species mosquito. These mosquitoes are aggressive daytime biters, who live indoors and outdoors near people. The mosquitoes become infected when they feed on a person already infected with the virus. Sexual transmission of Zika virus can also occur and is of particular concern during pregnancy.

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. People become infected when bitten by mosquitoes that feed on infected birds. 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 can multiply, possibly causing illness.

For prevention and protection, residents should apply the four D's:

• Dusk and dawn are the times of day residents should try to stay indoors. This is when mosquitoes are most active.
• Dress in light colored long-sleeve shirts and long pants when outside. For extra protection, spray thin clothing with repellent.
• DEET - Use insect repellent containing DEET. Always use a repellent when outdoors. Follow product instructions, especially when using repellents on children.
• Drain standing water in and around the house and in neighborhood areas where mosquitoes can breed. Mosquitoes may develop in any water that sits stagnant for three to seven days.

If you have standing water that is unable to drain, treat them with "mosquito dunks" that kill the larvae for up to 30 days. A single dunk can cover 100 square feet of water. These are available from many stores with home & garden sections.

The City of Euless will provide periodic spraying for mosquitoes when mosquito monitoring traps report a positive test result. Instead of citywide spraying, the area directly around the positive mosquito sample will be sprayed.

Mosquito spraying will typically be performed in the late evening while most of the city population is indoors. Weather conditions will dictate the available times to spray since spraying will not be performed during rainfall or when wind speeds are 10 mph or greater.

Mosquito spraying will not eliminate mosquitoes completely. We ask that residents also take action against mosquito infestation. The most effective way to reduce mosquitoes in your neighborhood is to remove their source — standing water. Thousands of mosquitoes can hatch from a puddle of water that is stagnant for at least four days.

Decrease your chances of infection by taking action in the following ways:

• 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 bird baths 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
• 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

In addition to periodic spraying, the City of Euless has placed mosquito surveillance traps throughout the City and monitors mosquitoes carrying the virus with weekly tests. Gambusia minnows, which eat mosquito larvae, along with larvacide products have been placed in ponds, creeks, lakes and drainage easements in Euless. These hardy, native minnows consume over 100 mosquito larvae a day and can tolerate hot weather, still water and even common pollutants.

If citizens have any questions or concerns regarding mosquitos, spraying or West Nile virus, please call Public Works at 817-685-1580.

You may dispose of the bird by wearing gloves, placing the bird in a plastic bag and throwing it in the garbage.