Dallas County health authorities have begun scheduled mosquito control operations in parts of far North Dallas following the detection of the West Nile virus in local mosquito samples. The intervention includes both aerial and ground spraying, with City Councilwoman Cara Mendelsohn announcing the measures on Friday. The positive test results were identified within Council District 12.
The spraying is scheduled to take place between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. on Saturday, July 11, and Sunday, July 12, provided weather conditions allow. The targeted zone is bounded by Rosemeade Parkway to the north, Kelly Boulevard to the west, Marsh Lane to the east, and Timberglen Road to the south. Officials from the City of Dallas and the Dallas County Health and Human Services department continue routine surveillance throughout the season, using positive mosquito pools to trigger these targeted interventions aimed at reducing resident risk.
Data from the Dallas County Health and Human Services department indicates that 37 human cases of the West Nile virus and three deaths were reported in Dallas County during the 2025 season. Statewide figures for that same year showed 1,284 positive mosquito pools, 128 human cases, and four deaths. As of early July 2026, Texas has recorded positive mosquito pools and a small number of human cases, primarily located in the Houston area. No human cases have been publicly reported in Dallas County for the current 2026 season, though surveillance remains active.
The West Nile virus is the leading cause of mosquito-borne disease in the continental United States. From 1999 through 2025, more than 59,000 cases and roughly 3,300 deaths were reported nationally. In a typical year, the U.S. experiences approximately 2,000 cases and between 100 and 200 deaths, with severe outcomes mostly affecting older adults or individuals with weakened immune systems. Texas consistently ranks among the states with the highest activity levels due to its warm climate and large mosquito populations, with activity typically peaking from June through September.
