Ground Mosquito Spraying Scheduled Throughout The Weekend

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west nile virus spraying
Affected west nile spraying area of Duncanville.

BEST SOUTHWEST—Dallas County Health and Human Services (DCHHS) laboratory confirmed mosquito traps positive for West Nile Virus on Wednesday. While, DCHHS does not provide exact identifying information; the traps were collected in Cedar Hill, Duncanville and Glenn Heights.

Health technicians will conduct ground spraying, weather permitting, in a staggered schedule throughout the weekend. The spraying will take place from 9 pm – 5 am Wednesday, October 3, Thursday, October 4 and Friday, October 5.

Ground Spray Schedule

The affected area in Glenn Heights in and around the area of 1600 block of Lillian Avenue will be treated Wednesday and Thursday nights.

Duncanville’s affected area in and around the area of 1300 block of Winding Trail and the 1700 Highgate Drive will be treated Thursday and Friday nights.

The affected area in Cedar Hill in and around the area of 400 block of Weaver will be treated Thursday and Friday nights. If the weather prohibits spraying on Thursday night, spraying will be done on Friday and Saturday nights.

City Staff will continue to monitor areas where mosquito breeding is most likely to occur. The spray areas are posted: http://www.dallas.leateamapps.com/PublicMap/

West Nile Virus DeSoto
Dallas County Environmental Health Truck Sprays for possible West Nile positive mosquitoes.

Precaution During Treatment Times

Residents in these areas are advised to stay indoors, keep pets inside and cover ponds during those times. Spraying will be rescheduled if winds are above 10 mph or in the event of rain.

Residents are asked to help eliminate the areas that mosquitoes need to breed by emptying, removing or covering any receptacle that can hold water. To prevent mosquito bites, residents are advised to use an insect repellent containing at least 30 percent DEET (lower concentration for children) and stay indoors at dawn and dusk.

Dallas County conducts regular tests on mosquito samples throughout the city as part of its West Nile Virus surveillance program.The pesticide used by Dallas County is applied at extremely low dosages designed only to affect mosquitoes and other pests their size.

West Nile Related Deaths

Last week, county health officials confirmed the tenth human case of West Nile Virus in Dallas County this year. The patient is a resident of Irving and has been diagnosed with West Nile Fever illness. The announcement comes shortly after DCHHS confirmed the first WNV death of the year. For medical confidentiality and personal privacy reasons, DCHHS does not provide additional identifying information.

“Controlling an epidemic of WNV infection is a community effort that calls upon residents to take preventative measures to reduce exposure,” said Ganesh Shivaramaiyer, DCHHS interim director. “Dallas County Health and Human Services not only conducts active surveillance to detect WNV and monitor infection rates locally but also educates the community to take preventative action.”

This season, mosquito samples have tested positive for WNV in the cities of Addison, Balch Springs, Carrollton, Cedar Hill, Coppell, Dallas, Desoto, Duncanville, Farmers Branch, Garland, Glenn Heights, Highland Park, Irving, Mesquite, Richardson, Rowlett, Sachse, Seagoville and University Park.

Mosquito Season Runs Through End of October

West Nile Virus (WNV) is a preventable condition. Humans commonly get West Nile Virus by being bitten by infected mosquitoes. Mosquito season in Dallas County typically runs from May to October with peak activity in August. Residents should be on heightened alert during these months of the dangers of West Nile Virus.

WNV is one of a group of viruses spread by mosquito bites. The most severe type of West Nile Virus is sometimes called “neuroinvasive disease” because it affects a person’s nervous system. Specific types of neuroinvasive disease include: West Nile Encephalitis, West Nile Meningitis or West Nile Meningoencephalitis.

West Nile Fever is another type of illness that can occur in people who become infected with the virus. Symptoms of West Nile virus in humans may include fever, headache, tiredness, muscle aches, confusion, stiff neck, nausea and rash.

Although the illness commonly has affected older individuals, even healthy younger are susceptible. The incubation period for WNV (the period between being bitten and showing the first symptoms) varies from 3-15 days.

Anyone who experiences WNV symptoms should see a physician as soon as possible. Health officials are still urging the public to take protective measures in preventing the illness. In Dallas Co. West Nile infections reached epidemic levels.