Arlington, Pantego schedule mosquito spraying after West Nile virus samples found
Arlington officials said they would spray parts of the city and near Pantego on Wednesday and Thursday after seven mosquito samples tested positive for West Nile virus in the cities, according to a press release.
Arlington officials announced the targeted ground spraying dates and locations after five positive West Nile virus samples were found in the city, as well as two samples in areas of Pantego that border Arlington.
The city said it would spray for mosquitoes between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. both evenings around Greek Row Drive at Kerby Street; Stagetrail Drive at U.S. Highway 287; Douglas Court at North Cooper Street; Jake Langston Park at Woodside Drive; Normandy Drive at Wilmette Drive; Shady Valley Drive at West Pioneer Parkway; and Miller Lane at Pantego Drive.
Maps of the targeted areas, including a rough outline of the radius the city plans to spray, can be found on the city’s website.
Targeted ground spraying is commonplace in Arlington when a positive virus sample is identified. The city normally sprays within a half-mile radius of the trap site over two consecutive nights and ahead of the weekend, when people are more likely to head outdoors.
Tarrant County officials reported Tuesday an elderly Fort Worth man died of West Nile virus. The case was the first reported in the county since August and the first reported virus-related death since September 2018.
West Nile virus predominantly affects people over the age of 50, although anyone can become sick. Common symptoms include fever, headache, nausea, vomiting diarrhea, body aches, joint pain and rash. Most people who become sick recover completely, although weakness and fatigue can last for weeks.
County officials have asked residents to be wary of the virus and attributed most detected West Nile samples to northeast Tarrant County.
This story was originally published July 22, 2020 at 4:01 PM.
