As Dallas County reports a total of 13 confirmed human cases of West Nile Virus this summer, one Lake Highlands ZIP code has reported the second highest number of positive mosquito samples in the city.
Monitored by testing samples from mosquito pools, positive samples are a strong indicator of WNV in an area. According to Dallas County’s West Nile Watch, seven samples from the 75243 ZIP code have tested positive for WNV as of August 22, representing most of northern Lake Highlands and the Forest Meadow area. This total is tied for the second most in the City of Dallas, with 75218 (Lochwood and Casa View area) reporting seven, and 75230 leading the way with 11. 75238 has reported three positive samples, and 75231 has reported one.
It is important to note that other, non-City of Dallas zip codes in the county have reported substantially higher numbers. Three Mesquite zip codes, 75181 (19), 75149 (59), and 75150 (41) have combined to produce close to 120 positive samples. ZIP code 75048 in Sachse has produced 20.
Dallas County reported its first WNV death earlier this month in the 75230 ZIP code.
West Nile Virus, most commonly spread through the bite of an infected mosquito, results in symptoms of fever, headache, body aches, vomiting, diarrhea or rash, according to the CDC. Most infected persons do not develop symptoms, with one in five developing a fever, and one in 150 developing severe illness. There are no vaccines or treatments to prevent or cure WNV.
To help reduce the risk of infection, The Dallas County Department of Health and Human Services advises neighbors to apply FDA-approved insect repellents when outdoors; wear long, light and loose clothing; drain standing water and stay indoors during peak mosquito hours, typically during dusk and dawn.
