Aerial spraying for several Northeast Tarrant County cities will begin Thursday night, weather permitting, said Pilar Schank, Southlake city spokeswoman.
Southlake, Roanoke, Haslet, Trophy Club and Westlake all approved aerial spraying this week in an effort to kill mosquitoes that cause West Nile virus.Portions of all five cities are in Denton County, which offered to do the spraying at no cost after declaring a state of emergency last week. The spraying will be covered by state and federal funding.No aerial spraying is planned for other Tarrant County cities at this time.The airplanes will fly at an altitude of about 200 feet from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. Thursday and Friday. The contractor, Clarke Aviation will spray a pesticide called Duet that kills adult mosquitoes.Earlier this week, Bob Martinez, emergency preparedness coordinator for the Denton County Health Department, said the planes use computer mapping to control where the chemical is sprayed so it only hits cities where requested.Signs went up along the road in Southlake today announcing aerial spraying will begin."We're responding to any comments or questions that the public may have about the process and also directing them to our website," Schank said.Visit cityofsouthlake.com/westnilevirus for more information.
West Nile numbers
Tarrant County: 234 human cases, 4 deaths
Dallas County: 309 human cases, 12 deaths
Denton County: 128 human cases, 2 deaths
Source: Tarrant County Public Health
West Nile virus symptoms
Most people who are infected with West Nile virus will not have any type of illness or may experience mild fever, headache and body aches before fully recovering. If illness were to occur, it would occur within 3 to 15 days of being bitten by an infected mosquito.
Symptoms
Fever, headache and body aches, occasionally with a skin rash on the trunk of the body and swollen lymph glands.
In a very few individuals, particularly the elderly, the virus can affect brain tissue, cause encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) or meningitis (inflammation of the lining of the brain and spinal cord), but more commonly presents as a febrile illness. Symptoms of encephalitis include rapid onset of severe headache, high fever, stiff neck (in meningitis), muscle weakness, confusion and loss of consciousness
Source: Tarrant County Public Health Department
Preventing West Nile Virus
The Tarrant County Public Health Department recommends the 4Ds.
Drain standing water on your property so mosquitoes won't breed.
Use insect repellent that contains DEET.
Stay indoors at dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most prevalent.
Dress in long sleeves and pants and spray insect repellent on the clothes.
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