West Nile Virus presence confirmed in Dallas County mosquitoes

Dallas - In a recent announcement from the Dallas County Health and Human Services (DCHHS), a mosquito pool was found to be positive for the West Nile virus.

The samples yielding these positive results were sourced from the regions of Farmers Branch and Coppell, according to the DCHHS.

Currently, no human cases linked to the West Nile virus have been reported. Yet, the presence of a virus-positive mosquito pool signals that the virus is indeed within our community.

As a collaborative response, the DCHHS is working with other local municipalities and mosquito control teams to treat the affected regions. Weather permitting, ground spraying procedures have been scheduled in the pertinent areas.

During the operation, residents have been advised by DCHHS to stay indoors while the sprayers are active. Note that spray operations will be suspended under certain conditions, such as wind speeds exceeding 10 mph or the onset of adverse weather.

"This July 4th holiday season please continue to do everything you can to prevent mosquito bites. Mosquitos can transmit West Nile Virus and other diseases. As people are getting outside more, remember the four Ds: DEET, Dress, Drain, and Dusk to Dawn", said Dr. Philip Huang, Director of DCHHS.

• DEET: Whenever outside, use insect repellents that have the active ingredient DEET or other EPA-registered repellents, and always follow label instructions.
• DRESS: Wear long, loose, and light-colored clothing outside.
• DRAIN: Drain or treat all standing water in and around your home or workplace where mosquitoes could lay eggs.
• DUSK to DAWN: Limit your time outdoors from dusk to dawn when mosquitoes are most active.

The Dallas County Health and Human Services (DCHHS) is urging residents within the affected areas to participate actively in combating the issue. They recommend eliminating possible insect breeding grounds and destroying larvae before they mature into adult mosquitoes. For this purpose, residents can use EPA-approved larvicides, available for purchase in retail stores, to treat any standing water.

Larvicides are specifically formulated to eradicate immature mosquitoes prior to their adult stage. They are directly applied to water bodies housing mosquito eggs, larvae, or pupae. When used in a consistent manner, larvicides can effectively decrease the overall mosquito population by limiting their reproduction, as stated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The CDC has further reported that, as of 2023, the West Nile virus has infected individuals in 10 states.

Credit: Dallas Metro News, CBS News – Texas, Dallas County Health and Human Services (DCHHS)