Spread the Word (Stop WNV poster)
Drain Standing Water - Tip Sheet

Areas in White Rock and Southwest Dallas to be ground sprayed for
West Nile virus after mosquito pools to test positive for the virus in Dallas.
Ground spraying will occur 10 p.m. Monday, August 27, 2012 and
concluding at 3 a.m. Tuesday August 28, 2012.

Monday, August 27, 2012:
News Release - Areas in White Rock and Southwest Dallas to be sprayed for West Nile virus

Monday, August 20, 2012:
News Release - Aerial Spraying Continues Monday Night
Map of areas to be sprayed tonight (areas in blue will be sprayed weather permitting)

Saturday, August 18 and Sunday, August 19, 2012:
News Release - Aerial Spraying Continues Sunday Night
Dallas County Map

Friday, August 17, 2012:
August 17 Aerial Spray - Treatment Map
News Release - Aerial Spraying Continues Tonight
Map of areas to be sprayed tonight
Dallas County Map

Thursday, August 16, 2012:
Confirmed Results from August 16 Aerial Spray
August 16 Aerial Spray - Treatment Map
News Release - Aerial Spraying Begins Tonight
Map - Spraying Area - Dallas
Dallas County Map

The Texas Department of State Health Services is working closely with Dallas-area public health and emergency management officials and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention concerning the extremely high number of human cases of the disease in Dallas County.

“The disease poses an immediate public health threat to Dallas County. We need to use all possible tools, including aerial spraying, to fight this outbreak,” said Dr. David Lakey, DSHS commissioner. “We will support the decisions made by local officials as we work together to confront this situation.”

Aerial spraying is a very effective and safe way to kill adult mosquitoes in large, densely populated areas. For people concerned about exposure during aerial spraying, health officials suggest the following precautions:

• Minimize exposure. Avoid being outside, close windows and consider keeping pets inside while spraying occurs.
• If skin or clothes are exposed, wash them with soap and water.
• Rinse homegrown fruits and vegetables with water as a general precautionary measure.
• Cover small ornamental fish ponds.
• Because the chemical breaks down quickly in sunlight and water, no special precautions are suggested for outdoor swimming areas.

DSHS contracts with Clarke, a private environmental products and services company, for aerial application of mosquito control products. The product is called Duet, which is labeled and approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for use in outdoor and residential areas. The active ingredients are in the same chemical family as products currently being used for ground spraying in the Dallas area. The product would be applied at very low dosages – less than an ounce per acre – by small, twin-engine aircrafts flying at approximately 300 feet above ground overnight.

Texas has more than 380 state-confirmed cases of West Nile illness for 2012, including 16 related deaths. Texas is on track to have the most cases of West Nile illness since the disease first emerged in the state in 2002. Humans can contract West Nile virus from a mosquito bite. The virus can cause serious illness or death.

LINKS:

• Mayor's Emergency Declaration
• West Nile Virus FAQ
• Aerial Application FAQ
• Chemical FAQ
• Research Papers
• Council Briefing Aug. 15, 2012
• Mosquito Control
• Spraying Location Updates
• PSA information
• TV and Radio PSAs

• Texas Department of State Health Services
• Dallas County Health and Human Services
• EPA Region 6 (South Central)