The City of Amarillo is beginning a program called "Mission Mosquitoes" to help alert the public to the dangers of getting bitten by mosquitoes.

“Mosquitoes carry a number of diseases including West Nile, Zika, Dengue and Chickungunya,” says Public Health Director Casie Stoughton. “West Nile is the most common in the Texas Panhandle. However, simple prevention steps can reduce your risk for all diseases related to mosquitoes.”

To reduce the chances of getting bit by mosquitoes, utilize the "4 D's".

  • Drain All Standing Water
  • Dress in long sleeves and pants
  • Deet:  Wear insect repellent with DEET.
  • Daily:  All day, every day.

"Mission Mosquito" will include kits with information about Zika and West Nile and a checklist to reduce mosquito breeding areas around the yard, mosquito repellent and other info will be available to the public July 13th.

For more info on Zika, hit up www.texaszika.org.  For info on West Nile, visit www.cdc.org/westnile.

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