West Nile virus found in southeast Dallas

Crews will spray on Thursday, October 20 and Friday, October 21.

DALLAS — Southeast Dallas will be sprayed for West Nile virus on Thursday night and Friday morning, according to a city memo sent Tuesday. Mosquitoes were found infected with the virus in Denton recently, and a city of Dallas representative confirmed that the virus was also found in the 75253 zip code (southeast Dallas) recently.

The virus found in southeast Dallas is the first one found in the city of Dallas in 2011, said Micheal Wheeler in the code compliance services department.

See a map below of the area that will be sprayed in southeast Dallas. Spraying will take place from 10 p.m. Thursday, October 10 through 3 a.m. Friday, October 21. The area affected falls within Interstate 20, Garden Grove Drive, Belt Line Road South, and Lawson Road West.

Residents are urged to stay indoors during the spraying. The city of Dallas explains further:

While the insecticide is considered safe, residents in the above areas should avoid contact with the spray by staying indoors. Persons inside a vehicle while trucks are actively spraying should remain in their vehicles with the windows up and the air conditioner on until the trucks pass and the spray is no longer visible. Persons out during the scheduled spraying time should be alert for trucks and should not follow them. Residents who come in contact with the spray are advised to wash the affected area thoroughly with soap and water. The spray breaks down quickly in the presence of sunlight and has no residual effect. Fish ponds should be protected and pets should be brought inside during the spraying period.

The West Nile virus is usually spread when mosquitos feed on infected birds and then bite humans. It's not spread through casual contact. Symptoms of humans with West Nile virus, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, can include "high fever, headache, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, vision loss, numbness and paralysis."

To prevent mosquito bites, reduce outdoor activity near dusk and dawn, use mosquito repellant, and remove standing water hear your home, where mosquitoes can breed.