[Press Release] : Columbia/Boone County Health Department West Nile spraying notification plan

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
Contact: Deidre Wood, Public Information Specialist - (573) 874-7632,
dfwood at GoColumbiaMo.com 

Columbia/Boone County Health Department West Nile spraying notification
plan

COLUMBIA, MO (Date) - This spring, the Columbia/Boone County Health
Department is actively preparing to combat the West Nile virus. One of
the new preparations includes a spraying notification plan.

If there is a confirmed human case of West Nile and mosquito spraying
occurs, registered citizens will automatically be notified if spraying
is scheduled in their area. Spraying is done in the geographic area in
which the person was infected and one-half mile surrounding it. 

Interested citizens can register for the plan by calling the
Environmental Health Division at (573) 874-7346 or by visiting
www.GoColumbiaMo.com. Besides the notification plan, citizens may
also learn of West Nile spraying plans by periodically checking the
Health Department’s page on the city's Web site or by actively
listening to media reports.

The Health Department also wants to remind citizens that the most
effective way to fight West Nile virus is through preventive measures.
Residents are reminded to take the necessary precautions needed to
protect themselves and reduce the mosquito population on their
property.

· Dispose of tin cans, plastic containers, ceramic pots or similar
water-holding containers.
· Remove all discarded tires on your property.
· Clean vegetation and debris from edges of ponds.
· Clean and chlorinate swimming pools, outdoor saunas and hot tubs.
· Make sure all windows and doors have screens, and that all screens
are in good repair.
· Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants whenever you are outdoors.
· Drill holes in the bottoms of recycling containers that are kept
outdoors.
· Make sure roof gutters drain properly, and clean clogged gutters in
the spring and fall.
· Turn over plastic wading pools and wheelbarrows when not in use.
· Change the water in birdbaths at least weekly.

For more information on local West Nile virus, please visit
www.GoColumbiaMo.com.

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