More Mosquito Pools And Humans In North Texas Test Positive For West Nile Virus
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NORTH TEXAS (CBSDFW.COM) — Reports of more humans and mosquitoes testing positive for West Nile virus are rolling in.
Dallas County Health and Human Services (DCHHS) and the Denton County Health Department both reported new cases of West Nile virus Monday.
A resident in Irving's 75062 zip code was diagnosed with West Nile Fever, and a resident in Grand Prairie's 75051 zip code was diagnosed with West Nile Neuroinvasive Disease, according to DCHHS. These are the sixth and seventh cases reported by the agency. The case reported by the Denton County Health Department — the first this year for the county — is a Lewisville resident.
The Texas Department of State Health Services confirmed the Denton County case, while the Dallas County cases are still awaiting confirmation.
More mosquito pools are testing positive, too. DCHHS lab confirmed one mosquito trap in Carrollton (zip code 75007), two traps in Coppell (zip code 75019) and two traps in Farmers Branch (zip code 75234) tested positive for West Nile virus.
The Tarrant County Public Health Department confirmed the first West Nile-positive mosquito sample in Bedford.
Carrollton Animal Services will be spraying the ground in "mosquito management area 2B" — the ground between Rosemeade Parkway, Josey Lane, Hebron Parkway and Old Denton Road — starting at 9 p.m. Monday and Tuesday. Meanwhile, DCHHS will be spraying the ground in Coppell's 75019 zip code — roughly from East Belt Line Road to the Sam Rayburn Tollway (pictured below) — from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. Monday, Tuesday and Sunday. Both treatments will be done weather permitting.
The mosquito that tested positive in Bedford was in a sample taken from Forest Ridge Drive near L. Don Dodson Drive. The Bedford Public Works Department has increased its monitoring of the area and is continuing to attempt to prevent mosquitoes from breeding.
Mosquito season runs from April to September. Residents should use the 4 Ds to reduce risk of exposure to mosquitoes:
· DEET All Day, Every Day: Whenever you're outside, use insect repellents that contain DEET or other EPA-approved repellents and follow instructions.
· Dress: Wear long, loose, and light-colored clothing outside.
· Drain: Drain or treat all standing water in and around your home or workplace.
· Dusk & Dawn: Limit outdoor activities during dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active.
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