UPDATE: DALLAS (KYTX) - The Texas Department of State Health Services announced today there are 552 state-confirmed cases of West Nile illness in Texas so far this year, including 21 related deaths.
In addition to aerial spraying efforts in Dallas County, state health officials are urging people to protect themselves by using insect repellent and draining standing water, which can be a breeding ground for mosquitoes.
Aerial spraying for mosquito control is expected to occur again tonight in Dallas County, depending on weather conditions. DSHS continues to work with Dallas County and cities to determine the areas to be covered each night by the four available planes. The next flights will focus on the unsprayed portion of the county north of Interstate 30, including Dallas County cities that cross into Collin County.
Spray areas are established based on city preferences and disease prevalence and will follow a defined grid pattern for flight efficiency. The maps are adjusted depending on areas covered and weather conditions. Each of the four planes can cover up to 64,000 acres a night but may be grounded or delayed due to rain or winds over 10 miles per hour.
The portion of the county south of Interstate 30 excluding the city of Dallas will be evaluated early next week based on input and requests from the cities in that area.
DSHS continues to coordinate with local health officials on mosquito surveillance. Mosquito counts were taken before spraying occurred and post-spray counts will be analyzed in the coming days. A second round of spraying may occur early next week.
UPDATE: GREGG COUNTY (TYLER MORNING TELEGRAPH) - One person in Gregg County has died from the West Nile Virus, a public health official confirmed this afternoon.
Russell Hopkins, director of public health emergency preparedness for the Northeast Texas Public Health District, said the person died in a Shreveport, La. Hospital and was part of the confirmed case count.
"We knew this person had West Nile. We knew that he was hospitalized," he said.
Hopkins would not release additional details, including the person's age.
But he said August is the peak season for the virus, and there should be a downturn in the number of exposures after a couple more weeks.
UPDATE August 17, 2012: GREGG COUNTY (KYTX) - Texas Department of State Health Services is reporting one West Nile related death in East Texas.
The Texas Department of State Health Services website shows 20 Texas human West Nile deaths today.
The first death for East Texas is reportedly in Gregg County.
Released by the City of Longview
LONGVIEW (KYTX) - The Texas Department of State Health Services has confirmed two positive cases of individuals with the West Nile Virus in the Gregg County area, as well as other cases in East Texas counties.
Longview residents are encouraged to take precautions in order to prevent mosquito activity and bites.
The Environmental Health Department is being proactive in doing preventative measures, primarily focusing on larvacide at stagnant water sites. The department is also spraying in neighborhoods where there is a specific concern.
According to Environmental Health Supervisor Buck Farrar, "The chance of a normally healthy individual being bitten by an infected mosquito and developing the disease is still extremely small, but the virus is still a serious concern. So we encourage everyone to take some simple steps to help prevent mosquitos around your home."
Listed below are effective ways to avoid a mosquito bite:
• Get rid of any standing water near residence
• Remain indoors during the dusk and dawn hours
• Wear long pants and long sleeves when outside
• Use an effective mosquito repellant according to label directions.
More information about West Nile Virus can be found on the City of Longview website LongviewTexas.gov or by calling the Environmental Health Department at 903-237-1285.
