The Texas Education Agency has asked all Texas school districts to help raise awareness of mosquito-borne illnesses such as Zika, West Nile and dengue.

Zika Virus Protection and Prevention

Measures for Individuals to Protect Themselves from Mosquito Bites

• wear insect repellent,
• cover up with long-sleeved shirts and long pants,
• keep mosquitoes out with air conditioning or intact window screens,
• limit outdoor activities during peak mosquito times.

Measures for Individuals to Prevent Mosquito Breeding

• At least weekly, carefully check the area around your home, school or workplace for mosquito breeding areas:
  • clear and empty gutters;
  • empty or get rid of cans, buckets, old tires, pots, plant saucers and other containers that hold water;
  • remove standing water around structures and from flat roofs;
  • change water in pet dishes daily;
  • rinse and scrub vases and other indoor water containers weekly;
  • change water in wading pools and bird baths several times a week;
  • maintain backyard pools or hot tubs;
  • cover trash containers;
  • water lawns and gardens carefully so water does not stand for several days;
  • screen rain barrels and openings to water tanks or cisterns; and
  • treat front and back door areas of homes with residual insecticides if mosquitoes are abundant nearby.
• If mosquito problems persist, consider pesticide applications for vegetation around the home.

Measures to Protect Communities from Zika Virus

• conduct neighborhood outreach about active precautions individuals can take to protect themselves and their families from mosquito bites;
• initiate or enhance monitoring and surveillance of mosquito activity;
• develop a local contingency plan for mosquito abatement and surveillance, and plan for additional control measures if needed;
• keep public drains and ditches clear of weeds and trash so water will not collect;
• implement efforts to clean up illegal dump sites and collect heavy trash; and
• encourage people to report illegal dumpsites and standing water, and respond quickly to these complaints.