Official: 9 West Nile cases, 1 death in Bowie County
By: Brian Kushida
Updated: August 22, 2012
Cases of West Nile are being reported in Bowie County, Texas.
In a press conference Wednesday, Dr. Robert Fry, who is the Health Authority for the Texarkana-Bowie County Family Health Center, said there have been nine confirmed cases of West Nile -- including one death -- in recent weeks.
The person who died due to West Nile is reported to be a 70-year-old Texarkana, Texas woman.
"It's a lot of concern," said Texarkana, Texas resident Curtis Fulton, who spends several hours each day exposed to mosquitoes outside as a plumber.
The City of Texarkana, Texas is increasing its weekly mosquito spraying to three times a week and could look at helping others.
"We are certainly willing to contract with outlying areas that don't have the capabilities of spraying, to spray in their area," said Daphnea Ryan with Environmental Services.
The City of Texarkana, Arkansas could be calling. Public Works Director Paul Hackleman says the city's mosquito program ended in March after new environmental regulations prevented the department from using their existing equipment.
"Being so close to the county line, we're going to have to look and do something different than what we had been doing," Hackleman said.
Arkansas-side resident James Pate is hoping for mosquito spraying.
"It's a city service as far as I'm concerned," Pate said.
Officials are asking the community to take basic steps in preventing the spread of West Nile and mosquito population.
That includes avoiding the outdoors at dawn and dusk, wearing long-sleeved clothing and repellent, and getting rid of standing water on their property.
In a press conference Wednesday, Dr. Robert Fry, who is the Health Authority for the Texarkana-Bowie County Family Health Center, said there have been nine confirmed cases of West Nile -- including one death -- in recent weeks.
The person who died due to West Nile is reported to be a 70-year-old Texarkana, Texas woman.
"It's a lot of concern," said Texarkana, Texas resident Curtis Fulton, who spends several hours each day exposed to mosquitoes outside as a plumber.
The City of Texarkana, Texas is increasing its weekly mosquito spraying to three times a week and could look at helping others.
"We are certainly willing to contract with outlying areas that don't have the capabilities of spraying, to spray in their area," said Daphnea Ryan with Environmental Services.
The City of Texarkana, Arkansas could be calling. Public Works Director Paul Hackleman says the city's mosquito program ended in March after new environmental regulations prevented the department from using their existing equipment.
"Being so close to the county line, we're going to have to look and do something different than what we had been doing," Hackleman said.
Arkansas-side resident James Pate is hoping for mosquito spraying.
"It's a city service as far as I'm concerned," Pate said.
Officials are asking the community to take basic steps in preventing the spread of West Nile and mosquito population.
That includes avoiding the outdoors at dawn and dusk, wearing long-sleeved clothing and repellent, and getting rid of standing water on their property.
