The affected areas were located near the neighborhoods southwest of Bob Woodruff Park and around Stoney Hollow Park. City officials sprayed the locations Sept. 1.
Environmental quality supervisor Keith White said positive West Nile tests are somewhat common in the region, but the city still takes them seriously.
“Unfortunately, we're seeing cities get West Nile positives all over DFW,” White said. “Our goal is to protect public health. ... West Nile is our most common virus that we are seeing from mosquitoes.”
White said no human West Nile cases had been reported in Plano as of Sept. 2, though multiple cases have been reported in Dallas County. No cases had been reported in Collin County as of an Aug. 28 county health report.
According to White, the city sets and checks mosquito traps across Plano every week from March through October. If a mosquito tests positive for West Nile, officials send out trucks and spray around the entire area to mitigate the potential spread of the virus.
“We spray within a half-mile radius around the trap location,” White said. “We will also drive the neighborhoods and spray up and down the streets.”
According to the Texas Department of State Health Services, remembering the “Four Ds” are important to defend against West Nile virus.
- Dusk and dawn are the times of day to stay indoors. This is when mosquitoes are most active.
- Dress in long sleeves and pants when outside for extra protection.
- DEET is an important ingredient to have in insect repellent.
- Drain standing water near homes, as these can be mosquito-breeding sites.
White said he encourages residents to call the Plano Environmental Health and Sustainability Department at 972-941-7143 or visit the city’s website with any concerns regarding West Nile virus.
