Zika Concerns May Prompt Dallas To Begin Mosquito Spraying Early
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DALLAS (1080 KRLD) - The city of Dallas is looking to start is mosquito abatement program by March 1st instead of waiting until mosquito season official starts in April.
The Dallas City Council's Quality of Life Committee is set to meet to get on a briefing from the City Manager's Office on the plans.
According to the briefing material, the focus will be on public education about removing standing water. Ground and aerial insecticide spraying could start early as well.
Typically, mosquito traps are set and the mosquitoes are tested for West Nile Virus. Spraying is then targeted in areas where mosquitoes positive with West Nile are found. Mosquitoes pick West Nile up from infected birds and then spread it to humans.
In the case of Zika, humans are the host.
Mosquitoes could potentially spread Zika from infected travelers returning from South America and the Caribbean, where the virus is prevalent.
Right now, testing for Zika is done on people - and not on mosquitoes.
Last week, Dallas County Health Director Zach Thompson said that they are working towards expanding their monitoring capabilities to include testing mosquitoes for Zika.
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