Denton County Health Wants Aerial Spraying

Declaration of emergency would open up state, federal resources

The Denton County Health Department is recommending County Judge Mary Horn declare a health emergency so that aerial spraying can be done in the county.

A declaration of a health emergency would allow the county to request state and federal resources, however, much like aerial spraying in Dallas County, it would be up to individual municipalities to request aerial spraying.

“We are very concerned at the number, rate, and severity of cases of West Nile Virus among Denton County residents”, stated Bing Burton, Ph.D., director of Denton County Health Department.

Denton County has a record 105 cases of West Nile virus and the number continues to climb daily, the county said in a news release Wednesday.

So far, the county has been using larvicide in ponds and standing water, but doesn't feel those efforts  have done an adequate job in curtailing the spread of the disease.

"It is believed that the ability of aerial spraying to cover very large areas of the county at one time may provide the needed boost in preventive measures to reduce the growing number of cases occurring," the county said in a news release.

According to the county, the persistence of the outbreak has led health officials to recommend the county expand protection efforts.

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