North Texas

First West Nile Sample of 2016 Reported in Arlington

Tarrant County health officials are reporting the county's first positive West Nile virus mosquito sample of 2016.

The sample was collected in Arlington, Tarrant County Public Health said in a press release Friday.

The city of Arlington confirmed the sample was collected in the area near Saddle Ridge Road at Yacht Club Drive. Ground spraying is scheduled on Monday, May 9, and Tuesday, May 10, between the hours of 9 p.m. and 5 a.m., weather permitting.

While no human cases of West Nile virus have been reported so far in 2016, officials said the positive mosquito sample is unusually early. The first positive sample is typically collected in June, they said.

How to Protect Yourself From Mosquito Bites
  • Dress in long sleeves, pants when outside: For extra protection, spray thin clothing with repellent.
  • DEET: Make sure this ingredient is in your insect repellent.
  • Drain standing water in your yard and neighborhood: Mosquitoes can develop in any water stagnant for more than three days.

It has been recommended in the past that to avoid mosquito bites you should avoid being outdoors during Dusk and Dawn (the 4 Ds). While this is true for mosquitoes that commonly carry the West Nile virus, other types of mosquitoes that are more likely to carry Zika, dengue and chikungunya are active during the day. When outdoors, no matter what time of day, adjust your dress accordingly and wear insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus as your first line of defense against insect bites.

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