Since May starts the West Nile Virus (WNV) season, the Brazos County Health Department (BCHD) encourages all residents to keep up their defenses and practice the Four D's:

· Drain standing water around the house, including tires, cans, flowerpots, rain gutters, buckets, wading pools, puddles, etc. Trim grass and shrubs and do not over water lawns and gardens. Change water in birdbaths often.

· Wear insect repellent containing DEET. Those repellents with picaridin, oil of lemon-eucalyptus, and IR3535 are also approved.

· Stay indoors at dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active.

· Dress in long sleeves and pants when outdoors to prevent bites.
BCHD also tests specific types of dead birds (blue jays, cardinals, crows, owls or hawks) for the WNV. When possible, health department staff may pick up a dead bird from the list above, if the carcass is in good condition.

To report a dead bird from the list above, please contact the health department at (979) 361-4450.