Health Department to Offer Presentations on West Nile Virus
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 7, 2003
For additional information contact:
Michael Mullet,
Community Relations Coordinator, (616) 336-2220
The Kent County Health Department will this week begin offering community presentations on West Nile Virus. The approximately 45-minute slide show presentation covers the basics of West Nile Virus transmission and other facts about the disease, and how people can reduce their risk of becoming infected.
The presentations can be scheduled for day or evening and are suitable for community groups, school and day camp organizations, and neighborhood associations (a minimum audience of 10 is requested). There is no cost for the presentation.
WNV educational presentations will be scheduled on a first come, first served basis throughout the summer. To schedule a presentation, call the Kent County Health Department at (616) 336-8797.
The community presentations are part of the Health Department's three-pronged WNV action plan that emphasizes public education, surveillance, and mosquito control. The three components of the plan will allow health officials to monitor and follow-up cases of WNV, make timely recommendations for mosquito control, and help the public reduce their risk of infection.
The Health Departments is also continuing to develop a Kent County West Nile Virus web site with links, information, and surveillance reports about West Nile Virus in Kent County. The web site, which health officials say will be added to throughout the summer, is already online and can be found at www.accesskent.com.
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