Dallas mayor approves first aerial spraying of insecticide in more than 45 years

by Sarah Kuta, Associated Press

Officials have reiterated that they consider North Texas to be in a "public health emergency."

Tom Fox

In this July 11, 2012 photo, parts of North Dallas are sprayed for West Nile virus.

DALLAS — Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings on Wednesday declared the city's recent West Nile virus outbreak to be a state of emergency and authorized the first aerial spraying of insecticide in the city in more than 45 years.

Dallas and other North Texas cities have agreed to the rare use of aerial spraying from planes to combat the nation's worst outbreak of West Nile virus so far this year. Dallas last had aerial spraying in 1966, when more than a dozen deaths were blamed on encephalitis.

More than 200 cases of West Nile and 10 deaths linked to the virus have been reported across Dallas County, where officials authorized aerial spraying last week. State health department statistics show 381 cases and 16 deaths related to West Nile statewide.

"The number of cases, the number of deaths are remarkable, and we need to sit up and take notice," Rawlings said during a city council briefing. "We do have a serious problem right now."

Aerial spraying for mosquitoes could begin Thursday evening, depending on weather conditions. The state health department, which will pay for the $500,000 aerial spraying with emergency funds, has a contract with national spraying company Clarke. Clarke officials have said two to five planes will be used in Dallas County.

Dallas City Council members voiced concerns about aerial spraying's health effects on humans and animals. Rawlings said the aerial dosage will be much lower than the dosage used so far during ground spraying. He also said aerial spraying recently has been safely used in California, Massachusetts, and New York.

The city charter allows Rawlings to declare a state of emergency and request aerial spraying, but the City Council would have to approve additional action beyond seven days.

State health commissioner Dr. David Lakey, who participated in the briefing via telephone, reiterated the seriousness of the situation in Dallas, saying half of all West Nile cases in the United States so far this year are in Texas.

"There is a public health emergency related to West Nile right now," Lakey said. "The risk of air-based spraying is minimal versus the ongoing spread of West Nile."

Sarah Blaskovich, staff:

Richardson already approved aerial spraying. “The evidence is very compelling that it is time to expand on mosquito control efforts in our region,” said Richardson Mayor Bob Townsend in a statement.

Ditto for Carrollton. “We have not taken this action lightly," said Mayor Matthew Marchant in a statement. "After much deliberation and analysis, including discussions with State and Federal authorities, this appears to be the best option available to protect the health, safety and welfare of the citizens of Carrollton. Our citizens are strongly encouraged to take all necessary precautions related to both the West Nile Virus and the aerial spraying."