BISD announced Thursday that due to a report of 4 confirmed cases of the West Nile virus in Abilene, the district is encouraging parents and students to follow the “4 D’s” for protection from the virus.

The “4 D’s” are as follows:

1) Stay indoors at DUSK and DAWN. This is the time of day that mosquitoes are most active.

2) DRESS in long sleeves and pants, loose and light-colored clothing when outdoors.

3) DEFEND yourself from mosquitoes by using an insect repellent that contains Deet, Picardin or Oil of lemon eucalyptus. Follow label instructions.

4) DRAIN standing water in your yard and neighborhood. Also make sure that flower pots, water dishes, bird baths and wading pools are drained properly so they are not breeding grounds for mosquitoes.

Brownwood ISD is also working with the City of Brownwood to have the area around Gordon Wood Stadium sprayed prior to Friday night’s football game for added protection.

Brown County Health Department officials confirmed Thursday that although there have been no confirmed cases of West Nile Virus in Brown County, the department is taking the threat of WNV seriously and so should the public.

The health department is working with the district to help students, parents and Lions fans in general to avoid being mosquito bitten at Friday night’s game. In fact, Public Health Emergency Preparedness Coordinator Jodie Armstrong reports that the health department is taking a proactive stance by spraying the stadium’s field prior to the game and posting signs (pictured below) warning the public to take precautions to avoid being bit by mosquitoes in order to lessen the risk of exposure to the virus.