Irving, Texas. August 15, 2012 –

Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings declared a state of emergency for Dallas County and on Wednesday asked state and county officials to provide aerial spraying to control mosquitos that are spreading the West Nile Virus.

The City of Irving has an active program for assessing the numbers and types of mosquitoes in various neighborhoods. Each week, a mosquito-control technician sets out approximately five traps throughout the city. The number of mosquitoes trapped at each location is logged, and each trap net's catch (called a "pool" of mosquitoes) is shipped to the state health department's laboratory in Austin for testing. Mosquitoes are tested for West Nile Virus (WNV), St. Louis encephalitis (SLE) and several other mosquito-borne viruses. 

Currenty, the city is spraying the neighborhoods in the 75038 and 75062 zip codes.

According to the August 8th West Nile Watch newsletter, positive traps (mosquito pools that have tested positive for West Nile Virus) have been found in the 75060 and 75061 zip codes.

162 human cases of West Nile infection have been reported in Dallas County.   Within City of Irving limits, there has been one case in the 75060 zip code area, two in the 75038, two in the 75061 and 8 in the 75062 area.

The City of Irving informs, "If you have questions regarding vector control issues please call the Hotline at (972) 721-3755 and a Vector Control Specialist will assist you."