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Disease Control
West Nile Virus is a disease that is spread by the bite of a mosquito. Mosquitoes become infected when they feed on the blood from infected birds. The infected mosquitoes can then transmit West Nile Virus to humans and animals. West Nile Virus disease can vary in severity. People 50 years of age and older have the highest risk of severe disease.
- Severe West Nile (Neuroinvasive Disease) infections can cause neurologic complications such as encephalitis. Symptoms include headache, high fever, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, and paralysis. It is estimated that approximately 1 in 150 persons infected with the West Nile Virus will develop a more severe form of disease.
- West Nile Fever - It is estimated that about 20% of people who become infected with West Nile Virus will develop West Nile Fever. Symptoms include fever, headache, tiredness, and body aches. Occasionally a skin rash on the trunk of the body and swollen lymph glands will occur. While the illness may last only a few days, even healthy people have reported being sick for several weeks.
Mosquito season in Dallas County typically runs from May to October, with peak activity in August. Residents should be on heightened alert during these months.
Helpful Links
Dallas County Health & Human Services
Texas Department of State Health Services - West Nile Virus Information
CDC - West Nile Virus Information
What You Can Do To Protect Yourself
- Get rid of old tires, tin cans, bottles, buckets, drums and other containers in your yard or keep them empty of standing water
- Empty wading pools frequently and store them indoors when not in use
- Keep in-ground pools clean and functioning
- Repair leaky pipes and outside faucets
- Replace your outdoor lights with yellow "bug" lights
- Change water in bird baths and scrub them twice a week
- If you have outside pets, empty their watering dishes daily
- Clean clogged roof gutters and drain flat roofs
- Treat standing water that cannot be drained with Bacillus Thuringiensis Israelensis (BTI), which is a larvicide available at most home and garden stores
- Make sure window and door screens are "bug tight"
- When possible, remain indoors at dusk and dawn, when mosquitoes are most active
- When outdoors, wear protective clothing, or use insect repellent with the active ingredient DEET to avoid exposure to mosquitoes. Always read instructions before using insect repellent or other chemicals
- Take a virtual tour of a home with potential mosquito breeding sites.
For more information on West Nile Virus or mosquito breeding habitat reduction, please contact Sachse Environmental Health Services at 469.429.4788. You may also contact the Dallas County Health and Human Services at 214.819.2115.
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a respiratory illness that can spread from person to person. The virus that causes COVID-19 is a novel coronavirus named severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).
Patients who get sick with COVID-19 develop mild to severe respiratory illness with symptoms of:
- fever
- cough
- difficulty breathing
CDC believes at this time that symptoms of COVID-19 may appear in as few as 2 days or as long as 14 days after exposure. The latest situation summary updates are available on CDC’s web page Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). To learn more about the COVID-19 please visit:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Texas Department of State Health Services
You can protect yourself and others by taking everyday common sense actions:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
Ebola is transmitted through direct contact with bodily fluids. Casual contact with even an infected person who is not symptomatic does not spread the virus. Detailed information can be found on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website and the Texas Department of Health website.
Immunizations
The City of Sachse entered into an Interlocal Agreement with the City of Garland Health Department as well as Dallas County Health Department to make available to the citizens of Sachse all immunizations and well child services offered to the residents of Garland at the same fees as required of Garland residents. This includes students who attend Garland ISD and Wylie ISD schools, as long as the students are residents of Sachse.
Location
206 Carver Drive
Garland, TX 75040
972-205-3370
972-205-3372 - Fax
7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. (No appointment necessary)
Influenza
Influenza (the flu) is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. Older people, young children, and people with certain health conditions are at higher risk for serious flu complications.
Vaccination
Yearly vaccination is the best protection against contracting the flu. Visit Flu.gov to learn more about seasonal flu vaccines.
Walgreen's (in Sachse) and CVS (on Highway 78 at Murphy Road) both offer the flu shot as well as several of the urgent care clinics.
Treatment
There are four different antiviral drugs that are licensed for use in the U.S. for the treatment of influenza:
- Oseltamivir (Tamiflu)
- Zanamivir (Relenza)
- Amantadine
- Rimantadine
In treatment, antiviral drugs work best if started as soon after getting sick as possible, and might not work if started more than 48 hours after illness starts. When used to prevent the flu, antiviral drugs are about 70% to 90% effective.
Resources
- Garland Public Health Clinic
- Flu.gov
- Steps you can take to stay healthy
- General Information About the Flu