Tarrant County announces first West Nile Virus positive mosquito of 2020

Tarrant County health officials confirmed a mosquito tested positive for the West Nile Virus, the first case in 2020.

There have been no human cases this year, officials said in a news release.

The mosquito came from an unincorporated part of northwest Tarrant County, according to the news release. The Tarrant County Public Health department planned to have workers conduct ground spraying in this location on Friday and Saturday, weather permitting.

Since April 1, when seasonal surveillance for West Nile Virus began, 188 mosquito samples have been tested for the West Nile Virus, officials said.

The virus has been discovered in Tarrant County more than a month earlier than it was in 2019, according to the release. Officials reported the first West Nile Virus-positive mosquito last year on June 14.

The first human case of the West Nile Virus in 2019 was reported on Aug. 7.

The county department of health advises residents to take steps to protect against the virus, including dumping any standing water on their property, using repellent and dressing in long pants and long sleeves whenever possible.