Three mosquito pools have tested positive for West Nile virus in Dallas-area ZIP codes as of Thursday afternoon.
The first mosquito pool was reported in Irving’s 75061 ZIP code on Wednesday. The following day, Richardson‘s 75080 ZIP code and Rowlett‘s 75088 also reported positive results of West Nile virus in tested mosquito pools.
West Nile virus is most commonly spread through mosquito bites and causes symptoms such as fever, headache, body aches, vomiting, diarrhea or rash. There are currently no reported human cases of West Nile virus in the Dallas area.
Last year, the first human case of West Nile was reported in late July.
Irving officials completed spraying the infected areas Wednesday evening and will spray this evening from 9 p.m. to 4 a.m. Officials will be spraying from east Airport Freeway to Rock Island Road and north Loop 12.
Richardson officials began spraying infected areas Wednesday night and will complete another round of spraying Thursday evening from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. Officials will be spraying from North Parkway south to Campbell Road and Floyd Road east to Prairie Creek.
Rowlett officials began spraying the infected area yesterday evening and will continue Thursday evening from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. The exact location of spraying has not been confirmed.
Although spraying infected areas is part of increased measures to prevent West Nile virus from spreading, officials urge community to take extra protective measures.
Dr. Philip Huang, director of Dallas County Health and Human Services, recommends practicing the four D’s for further protection. This includes using EPA-approved insect repellent containing DEET; dressing in long, loose and light-colored clothing; draining any standing water around your home; and limiting outdoor activities around dusk and dawn, as those are times when mosquitoes are most active.
“It’s scary that you can get some really severe illness from something as seemingly innocuous as a mosquito bite. That’s why people really should do everything they can to prevent mosquito bites,” Huang said.