2 Nights Of West Nile Ground Spraying In Dallas County
DALLAS COUNTY (CBSDFW.COM) - Mosquitoes infected with the West Nile Virus have been found in an area of Dallas County.
To date there had been only one mosquito pool that tested positive for the virus, but Dallas County Health and Human Services Director Zach Thompson said Friday, "We just learned that there's a second positive mosquito pool, so that brings our total number of positive mosquito pools tested positive in Dallas County to two."
As a result, the City of Dallas is preparing to perform two nights of ground spraying in the area where the pool was found, in southwest Dallas.
So far, there have been no human cases of West Nile reported in Dallas County this year. Thompson said the decreased numbers are due in part to residents being proactive. "I think a lot of residents are paying attention based on last years epidemic."
Thompson said last year the drought was so bad birds and mosquitoes were using the same watering holes. That doesn't appear to be the case this year.
The mosquitoes infected with West Nile were found in the area around 1500 Walmsley in the 75208 zip code. Ground spraying in that area will begin around 10 p.m. Monday and conclude early Tuesday, then happen again Tuesday night into Wednesday morning.
The area to be sprayed is within an area bounded generally on the north by Commerce, on the west by Darien, bounded by Interstae-30 on the south and Sylvan on the east.
While the insecticide used is approved by the Environmental Protection Agency, during the spraying, residents living in or traveling though the area are advised to stay indoors, close all windows and outside doors, brings pets and pet dishes in for the night. Anyone traveling, who encounters a spray truck should remain in the vehicle, with the windows up and the air conditioner on, until the trucks pass and the spray is no longer visible.
Thompson advised, "Don't put your guard down. The next three weeks we'll see probably an increased number of mosquitoes, but none to the state, at the magnitude of last year."
North Texas health officials recommend that everyone adhere to the five D's when it comes to controlling the presence of mosquitoes.
DRAIN—all areas of standing water including changing water in wading pools, birdbaths, and cleaning out gutters;
DEET—Use bug spray and protect clothing with repellents containing permethrin or DEET;
DRESS—Dress in light- colored clothing with long sleeves and wear long pants;
DUSK/DAWN—Limit outdoor exposure at dusk and dawn;
DOORS—Keep door and window screens in good repair
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