A press release issued this evening by the city of Richardson says that a local resident has tested positive for a neuroinvasive form of West Nile virus. This is the third case of a person in Richardson testing positive for the virus in the past two years, the release said.
The city was informed of the diagnosis by the Dallas County Health Department. According to the release, the affected resident lives near Custer Parkway and West Campbell Road, in close proximity to where a positive mosquito sample was taken last week. This area was sprayed by the county's health department on Thursday, Sept. 6. Due to rain, no spraying occurred on Friday, Sept. 7.
Weather permitting, additional spraying in the area—which includes Renner Road south to Campbell Road and Floyd Road east to North Collins Boulevard—will take place this week as well as attempts to locate breeding locations, the release said. Spraying begins at 9 p.m. and continues through 4:30 a.m.
To avoid mosquitoes, which carry the virus, residents are advised by the county health department to:
- drain standing water around the home;
- use insect repellent containing DEET;
- avoid outdoor activity at dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active; and
- dress in long sleeves and pants to reduce skin exposure.