http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/25/us/in-dallas-precautions-amid-fears-of-west-nile-virus.html?_r=1&ref=us
On August 24th of 2012, Manny Fernandez wrote an article on the importance of the West Nile virus occurring in Dallas, Texas. This virus is an infection transmitted by mosquitos. Even though most of the time it only leads to sickness, some have been known to die from this virus. The popular repelant OFF! has been one of the most purchased items in Dallas. Fernandez even states that a pharmacy in a rich neighborhood in Dallas had sold 87 of the 88 bottles of OFF! Applying repellent has practically become a must before leaving the house. Fernandez uses information from the state health officials saying that 640 people have been infected with the virus and of those 640 people, 23 have died, 12 being from Dallas. The mayor of Dallas even took action to try to prevent the virus by using low-flying airplanes containing an aerial pesticide while trucks spraying the ground. As Fernandez mentions, this virus has many people worried. The Texas Poisen Center Network received 716 calls dealing with the West Nile. Fernandez makes it clear that many people are concerned about this virus, however she also informs the reader that unfortunately, some Texans think this situation is being blown out of proportion. In Dallas it is extremely rare to find someone who has a friend who does not know someone that has not gotten this virus.
The purpose of this article was to inform the readers, especially from Texas, how serious this virus really is, even causing death. Fernandez uses several point of views from her interviews, being from people not caring to others applying the repellent everyday. Towards the end of the article Fernandez uses Mrs. DeVille´s story to show her readers the symptoms of the West Nile virus and how dangerous it can become if it is not handled properly.
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