Spraying for West Nile Begins in Dallas

Starting today, Dallas County and the City of Dallas will begin spraying for mosquitos in an attempt to combat West Nile virus.

Officials in Dallas County have declared a public health emergency after the virus has killed nine people and infected more than 180 in the area.

Local leaders resisted spraying at first but now the mayors of Dallas, Highland Park and University Park all agree with truck spraying and additionally support aerial spraying. Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins is urging surrounding cities to approve these safety measures.

In Dallas, trucks will disperse the insecticide at night to areas with the densest amount of West Nile cases. The county is also asking the state for as many as five planes for aerial mosquito spraying.

The Dallas area has seen the biggest outbreak of West Nile Virus in the country. Health officials are still concerned because they say West Nile virus season has just begun.