September 9, 2003

Who: Houston Department of Health and Human Services, Harris County Public Health and Environmental Services, U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, DEET Education Program

What: 10,000 containers of DEET-based repellent to help protect low-income senior citizens against West Nile virus.

When: Monday, Sept. 22, 11 a.m.

Where: Kashmere Multi-Service Center, 4802 Lockwood Drive

Why: Weeks still remain in the mosquito season and so does the risk of West Nile virus infections resulting from the bites of infected mosquitoes. Houston public health officials obtained more than 10,000 containers of mosquito repellents from the DEET Education Program, administered by the Consumer Specialty Products Association. Low-income seniors, the population at greatest risk for severe illness and death from West Nile virus, will receive the repellents. Three repellent manufacturers donated the products: SC Johnson, maker of OFF® repellents; Spectrum Brands, maker of Cutte® and Repel® repellents; and 3M, maker of Ultrathon™ repellents.