North Texas

Denton Reports Positive West Nile Virus Case This Year

The city of Denton says a mosquito trapped at the University of North Texas athletics facility near Highland Park Road has tested positive for West Nile virus.

It is the first positive West Nile virus sample collected this year in the city.

No human cases have been reported in Denton this year.

In a press release Wednesday, city officials said the trap was collected July 22, and they have now entered what they call "risk level 3," meaning they believe the probability of a person contracting a mosquito-borne disease is low to moderate.

The Denton Water Utilities Department is providing Bti briquettes to residents while supplies last at two locations:

  • Water Administration, located at 901 A Texas St. in the Utility Service Center; Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • City of Denton Composting, located at 1100 S. Mayhill Road in the Pecan Creek Water Reclamation Facility; Tuesday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Residents must show their driver's license or a current Denton utility bill to prove their residency.

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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