West Nile Announcement

The City of Southlake will be holding a special meeting Monday evening, August 27, to discuss the possibility of aerial spraying for mosquitos. This is in response to Denton County’s decision to spray to help prevent the spread of West Nile Virus. A portion of the City of Southlake is in Denton County. To date, Southlake has had six cases of West Nile Virus, all affecting individuals who are elderly or have pre-existing conditions or weakened immune systems. The City has a story posted toMySouthlakeNews.com and is working jointly with Carroll ISD to help educate the public. Remember to spray your children with approved DEET mosquito repellants before they go out to bus stops and/or outdoors. While wearing long sleeves and pants to school may not be practical in August/September, parents are encouraged to protect students during after school activities and from dusk to dawn as necessary. Parents may send non-aerosol sprays or replleant wipes to the nurse’s office with instructions to re-spray students before after-school or outdoor activities. At this point, CISD will not alter outdoor activities or evening eventsbecause risks are minimal if personal protections are in place. The district is treating CISD property with briquettes from the city staff, but the district will not be handing supplies of DEET out to students. We are minimizing standing water where mosquitos might gather and will work cooperatively with the city to wipe down playground equipment should aerial spraying be approved. Secondary students bring repellant from home in their gym bags for evening competitions and outdoor events, but parents are asked not to give the repellant to younger children to spray themselves. This will help protect those students who are asthmatic and could react negatively to extensive sprays in the learning classroom.