In what has become a battle between man and virus-carrying mosquitoes, Fort Worth has a new strategy to target neighborhoods where the West Nile virus or Zika virus is a problem.
"If we get multiple positive samples or we get a human case, then we're sending an entire team in to focus on all code violations in that half-square mile area," said code compliance director Brandon Bennett.
His strategy: A blitz.
"We will have environmental specialists, code officers, (and) solid waste specialists," he said.
The crews will mobilize to try to eliminate areas where mosquitoes breed, he said. They will mow grass on public property and ask homeowners to do the same. They'll also encourage people to get rid of old items where mosquitoes can breed. The city will send in trucks to pick it up for free.
The city is conducting ground spraying and will consider aerial spraying if the problem worsens, Bennett said.
The city's proposed budget, which begins in October, includes $300,000 to fund the mosquito fight.
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The number of mosquitoes testing positive for West Nile is the worst since 2012 and has alarmed health experts.
