Mosquitos With West Nile Found In Dallas, Highland park

DALLAS, TX — Two mosquitos carrying the West Nile Virus were found in Dallas and another in Highland Park, Dallas County Health and Human Services announced Thursday. Health and Human Services will spray three areas for mosquitos this weekend.

Highland Park Department of Public safety said in a statement that mosquito traps are tested weekly for the number of adult mosquitos in each trap and the presence of West Nile Virus. The mosquito carrying the virus was found on the east side of town.

The Town of Highland Park will spray for mosquitos east of Preston Road during the weekend of Friday, June 22 through Sunday, June 24. Weather permitting, ground spraying will begin at 10:00 p.m. and conclude by 5:00 a.m. on the east side of town, east of Preston Road of the Town limits.

The City of Dallas will also spray for mosquitos on Thursday, June 21 and Friday, June 22 between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. each night.

The area to be sprayed in Dallas is generally bounded by the 4500 block of College Park (75229) Mendenhall Drive on the north, Forum Lane on the west, Strait Lane on the east and Irvin Simmons Drive on the south.

Another area in the 5500 block of Northaven (75229) will be sprayed. This area is generally bounded by Forest Lane on the north, Strait Lane on the west, Northgate Circle on the east and Royal Lane on the south.

There are various ways to avoid contracting the virus, including:

• Dress in long sleeves and pants when you're outside. For extra protection, you may want to spray thin clothing with repellent.
• DEET is an ingredient to look for in your insect repellent. Follow label instructions, and always wear repellent when outdoors.
• Drain standing water in your yard and neighborhood where mosquitoes can breed. This includes old tires, flowerpots, clogged rain gutters, etc. Mosquitoes may develop in any water stagnant for more than three or four days. For shallow standing water that cannot be eliminated, check regularly for the presence of mosquito larvae and if seen, apply a biological larvicide often referred to as "mosquito dunks," available at local hardware stores.

In Highland Park, town personnel are available for free home/property inspections to identify potential breeding grounds for mosquitoes. Residents may call 214-521-4161 to arrange a free inspection of their property. Link for information – www.hptx.org/MosquitoControl

In Dallas, residents can report standing water or mosquito problems by calling 3-1-1. To be added to the City of Dallas Do Not Spray list contact 3-1-1. For additional information on mosquito control, visit www.dallascitynews.net/fightthebite.

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