Complete coverage of the West Nile virus in North Texas

Dallas Stores Sell Out of Bug Spray

Thursday, Aug 2, 2012  |  Updated 11:51 AM CDT
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Many stores around Dallas are completely sold out of bug spray over fears about West Nile virus.

Ellen Goldberg, NBC 5 News

Many stores around Dallas are completely sold out of bug spray over fears about West Nile virus.

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Insect repellent is getting hard to come by in many Dallas stores.

Many stores around Dallas are completely sold out of bug spray over fears about West Nile virus.

There are more than 200 confirmed cases of West Nile virus in North Texas, and six people have died after contracting the virus.

The CVS at Inwood Village was completely sold out of insect repellent, and the store manager said he knows of at least three other Dallas CVS stores that are also completely out of bug spray.

"Well, everybody is scared, and nobody wants to get the West Nile [virus]," shopper Barbara Fahey said.

She was looking for bug spray at Dougherty's Pharmacy near Preston Road and Royal Lane on Tuesday night. The store, like many neighboring stores, was sold out.

Most of the stores that were out of insect repellent said they expect to get more in stock by Friday.

Get tips on symptoms of West Nile virus and West Nile virus prevention for Tarrant, Dallas, Denton, Collin and Parker counties here.

West Nile Virus Facts

Most people bitten by a West Nile virus-infected mosquito will not show any symptoms. Symptoms, if they appear, are fever, headache, nausea, body aches, swollen lymph nodes and skin rashes.

Fewer than 1 percent of those infected with West Nile virus experience the serious form of the illness. Serious symptoms include high fever, severe headache, neck stiffness, disorientation, tremors or convulsions, vision loss, muscle weakness and numbness or paralysis.

Both Dallas and Richardson are urging residents to:

  • Drain standing water around their homes to reduce mosquito breeding grounds.
  • Dress in pants and long sleeves when outside, but avoid becoming too hot.
  • Apply an insect repellent that contains DEET to exposed skin and to clothing when outdoors.
  • Stay indoors at dusk and dawn, when mosquitoes are most active.

NBC 5's Ellen Goldberg contributed to this report.


West Nile Virus:
Click here for complete coverage of the outbreak of West Nile virus in North Texas. Find updated numbers of human cases, spraying schedules, and more FAQs about the disease.

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Posted Jul 31, 2012
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