“The citizens of the City of Prichard are being protected and educated on the West Nile Virus.”

West Nile virus is a mosquito born disease that first appeared in the United States in 1999.  Statistically, a person's risk of contracting West Nile is low, and less than 1% of those infected develop serious illness from the virus. Those at highest risk for serious illness are the elderly and those with lowered immune systems. At least 28However, people of all ages can develop serious illness, so it is important for everyone to protect themselves from mosquito bites to minimize the risk of infection.

The City of Prichard’s Mayor, Ron Davis and Chief of Police, Lawrence L. Battiste, IV partnered with Mobile County Health Department’s Health Officer, Dr. Bernard Eichold, to bring awareness to the citizens and local communities in Prichard about this virus by developing an operation to assist with lowering or possibly eliminating the life-span of mosquitoes, the virus carrier in the Prichard area.

The City of Prichard Chief of Police, Lawrence Battiste, along with voluntary police officers, Steve Lavender and Earnest Johnson with Prichard Public Works Department, John Eades with Volunteers of America along with local residents and voluntary inmates celebrated the holidays by traveling the streets of Alabama Village, a target area of the Weed and Seed Program, and cleaned a portion of the area by picking up old and hazardous tires.  This project has been titled The West Nile Tire Disposal.

Chief Battiste reported approximately 400 tires were picked up and disposed from the target area; however this is just a start to the big job that lies ahead. The city’s volunteers, John Eades with Volunteers of America and local residents look forward to cleaning this area with hopes to provide a safer environment for the citizens.

Article written by:

Tywanda Jackson
Community Development Director
Weed and Seed Administrator