Two Dallas Areas Scheduled for West Nile Spraying

The City of Dallas said on May 20 that it would spray insecticide overnight in two areas after mosquito samples tested positive for West Nile virus. The work was scheduled for 9 p.m. to 5 a.m., weather permitting, as part of the city’s mosquito-control response. Patch reported the two targeted neighborhoods were in Oak Cliff and Red Bird, citing city notices. Dallas County Health and Human Services says mosquito abatement is used to treat impacted areas and reduce the risk tied to positive mosquito samples. ### Which Dallas neighborhoods were named for spraying? Patch reported on May 20 that the city identified Oak Cliff and Red Bird as the two neighborhoods where spraying was planned. A separate local report said the city scheduled the work for the night of May 26 into May 27, weather permitting, after mosquitoes in Dallas tested positive for West Nile virus. Dallas officials described the operation as targeted mosquito-control spraying rather than a citywide treatment. The city’s public notices, as reflected in syndicated postings, said the treatment area would be defined by specific control-area boundaries and carried out overnight. ### When would the spraying happen, and why overnight? The city notices said spraying was scheduled between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. each night, weather permitting. (patch.com) Dallas has used that same overnight window in other West Nile responses this month, including a separate notice for another Dallas area and county-led notices in other municipalities. Dallas County Health and Human Services said spraying is not conducted in wind above 10 mph or during inclement weather in its county notices for other jurisdictions. (dfwnewsonline.com) Those notices also tell residents to remain inside while sprayers are in the area, guidance that matched the advice repeated in local coverage of the Dallas operation. ### What triggered the response? Mosquito samples in Dallas tested positive for West Nile virus, according to city notices summarized by Patch and other local outlets. The positive test, not a reported human case in Dallas, was the trigger for the spraying plan described in those notices. Dallas County Health and Human Services says its West Nile Watch program tracks mosquito pools that test positive by ZIP code and coordinates mosquito-control work with local municipalities. (dallascounty.org) The county says residents can also request mosquito service through its public system. ### What are residents being told to do during the spraying? (patch.com) Residents were urged to stay indoors while the trucks are operating, according to Patch and other local reports on the Dallas spraying. Dallas County guidance for mosquito prevention also advises using repellent, wearing long and loose clothing, and reducing standing water around homes. (dallascounty.org) Dallas County Health and Human Services says the southern house mosquito is the species that transmits West Nile virus and is very active in Dallas County. The county’s prevention page says people should use insect repellent “all day every day” during mosquito season and follow label instructions. ### How does Dallas County describe the purpose of spraying? (patch.com) Dallas County Health and Human Services says mosquito control is intended to detect, prevent and mitigate mosquito-borne disease, with a focus on West Nile virus. The county says its program uses surveillance, adult and larval mitigation operations, service requests, public education and coordination with local governments. (dallascounty.org) County press releases for other cities say abatement teams respond by treating impacted areas after positive mosquito samples are confirmed. That language aligns with the Dallas notices describing overnight insecticide spraying after local detections. ### Where can residents check whether they are affected next? (dallascounty.org) Dallas County Health and Human Services directs residents to its West Nile Watch page for ZIP-code information on positive mosquito tests and to its mosquito service line for complaints or service requests. The county lists the mosquito service number as (214) 819-2115. The city’s next step is the overnight spraying itself, scheduled for late May if weather allows. (dallascounty.org) Residents looking for updated spray-zone information can also use Dallas County’s public mosquito-control map, which tracks areas to be sprayed. (dfwnewsonline.com) (dallascounty.org)