North Texas

Mosquito Sample Tests Positive for West Nile Virus in Grand Prairie

The city of Grand Prairie is reporting its first positive West Nile virus mosquito sample of the 2017 season.

The sample was collected in the southwest part of the city, and crews plan to ground spray in the area Thursday and Friday nights beginning at 9 p.m., weather permitting.

The spray area is bound by East Polo Road on the north, Matthew Road on the east, Sandra Lane on the south, and Kite Road and Barn Owl Trail on the west.

There have been no confirmed human cases of West Nile virus yet this season in North Texas.

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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