West Nile-positive mosquito pools found in Farmers Branch, Carrollton and Addison

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Residents in Farmers Branch, Carrollton and Addison are being urged to eliminate standing water and protect themselves from mosquito bites after Dallas County Health and Human Services confirmed West Nile virus-positive mosquito pools in all three communities this week.

The county recently reported nine new mosquito pools testing positive for West Nile virus, including three in Farmers Branch, one in Carrollton and one in Addison. The remaining positive pools were detected in Dallas and Coppell. A mosquito pool is a laboratory test of a group of mosquitoes collected from a single trap.

Fortunately, no human cases of West Nile virus have been reported in Farmers Branch this season, and city officials say the overall risk of transmission remains low because of proactive mosquito control efforts.

The positive mosquito pools were detected in the following locations:

• Farmers Branch: Three positive pools in the 75234 and 75244 ZIP codes. The affected neighborhoods are located within Mosquito Management Areas 3, 4 and 5.
• Carrollton: One positive pool in Mosquito Management Area 6B, generally bounded by Belt Line Road, Josey Lane, Keller Springs Road and the city's eastern limits.
• Addison: One positive mosquito pool in the 75001 ZIP code.

The Branch Herald has included mosquito management maps with this story so residents can determine whether they live near the affected areas.

Although all three cities monitor mosquito activity throughout the summer, each community uses a different strategy to reduce the risk of West Nile virus.

Farmers Branch

The city's Environmental Health Division operates an Integrated Mosquito Management Program year-round, with increased activity from April through September, when mosquitoes are most active in North Texas.

The program focuses on trapping and testing mosquitoes, public education, reducing standing water and interrupting the mosquito life cycle before adults emerge.

Unlike many cities, Farmers Branch no longer automatically fogs neighborhoods after mosquitoes test positive for West Nile virus. Instead, the city monitors both mosquito populations and disease activity. Under its current policy, fogging would occur only if there are at least two confirmed human cases of West Nile virus from different households.

Officials say even a teaspoon of standing water can become a breeding site. Residents are encouraged to empty bird baths, flowerpots, buckets, children's toys, clogged gutters and any other containers that collect water. They should also avoid overwatering lawns, keep grass mowed and trim shrubs where mosquitoes rest during the day.

The city also recommends mosquito-repelling plants such as citronella, catnip, lavender, lemon balm and lemongrass.

While supplies last, Farmers Branch residents can receive one free package of Mosquito Dunks and insect repellent per household at City Hall during regular business hours with proof of residency. The dunks contain Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti), a naturally occurring bacterium that kills mosquito larvae but is harmless to people, pets and wildlife.

Carrollton

Carrollton conducts mosquito trapping each week from May through October in seven mosquito management areas across the city. So far this year, the city has collected 56 mosquito samples.

Animal Services and Community Services also identify standing water that serves as mosquito breeding sites and treat those locations with larvicide, commonly known as mosquito dunks. Standing water on streets and sidewalks is not treated.

When West Nile-positive mosquitoes are detected, Carrollton responds with targeted ground spraying using a permethrin-based product. Officials say the treatment is safe for residential neighborhoods when applied under appropriate weather conditions.

Following the latest positive mosquito pool, Carrollton Animal Services planned ground spraying to begin around 9 p.m. June 30 and July 1 in Mosquito Management Area 6B, weather permitting. Spraying will not occur if wind speeds exceed 15 mph or during inclement weather.

Addison

Beginning each May, Addison deploys four mosquito traps that are collected weekly and tested by Dallas County Health and Human Services. The traps are designed specifically to capture mosquito species known to carry West Nile virus.

Unlike routine mosquito spraying programs, Addison restricts spraying almost exclusively to confirmed West Nile virus detections. When a trap tests positive, crews spray the affected area during the following two mornings.

Residents can pick up free Mosquito Dunks at the Addison Athletic Club or the Addison Service Center. A limited supply of insect repellent is also available at the Service Center's Development and Neighborhood Services Department.

Following the latest positive mosquito pool, Addison planned to spray for mosquitos throughout the town from 2:30-6 a.m. July 1 and 2.

Protecting yourself

Health officials continue to recommend the "4 Ds" of mosquito prevention:

• DEET: Use an EPA-approved insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus.
• Dress: Wear long sleeves, long pants and light-colored clothing when outdoors.
• Drain: Remove standing water around your home.
• Dusk and dawn: Limit outdoor activities during the hours mosquitoes are most active.

According to the Texas Department of State Health Services, about 80% of people infected with West Nile virus never develop symptoms.

Those who do become ill typically experience a mild illness known as West Nile fever. Symptoms may include fever, headache, body aches, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, swollen lymph nodes or a skin rash. Symptoms usually appear two to 14 days after an infected mosquito bite.

People over age 60, organ transplant recipients and those with weakened immune systems or certain chronic medical conditions are at greater risk for severe illness.

Anyone who develops flu-like symptoms after a mosquito bite should contact a health care provider, particularly those in higher-risk groups.

Emergency medical care should be sought immediately for severe symptoms such as a high fever, severe headache, stiff neck, confusion, muscle weakness, tremors, seizures or paralysis. These may indicate the rare but serious neuroinvasive form of West Nile virus, which develops in about one out of every 150 infected people.

There is no vaccine for humans, and treatment focuses on relieving symptoms. Most people who recover develop long-lasting immunity, although rare reinfections have been documented.

Dogs and cats can become infected after being bitten by infected mosquitoes, but most never become ill. Dogs occasionally develop mild symptoms, while illness in cats is rare.

Horses are much more susceptible to severe disease, which is why veterinarians recommend routine West Nile vaccination.

West Nile virus cannot spread from person to person or directly from pets to people. The virus is transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito.

More information about mosquito prevention and control is available through the Cities of Farmers Branch, Carrollton and Addison, as well as Dallas County Health and Human Services.

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