Gainesville —
At least two counties south of Gainesville are taking steps to stem the spread of West Nile virus.
Sanger workers have sprayed the city twice in the past three to four weeks, Sanger Public Works director Robert Woods said, adding the spraying is done via trucks.
Insecticide spraying was also planned for two Denton neighborhoods along Teasley Lane in southern Denton Wednesday night, according to a story on the Denton Record Chronicle’s website.
The spraying is in response to the growing number of Denton county residents stricken by the potentially deadly virus.
Earlier this week, Denton county health officials confirmed 78 cases of West Nile virus and one death.
Unlike Dallas County which has launched an aerial spraying effort, there are no current plans to spray any parts of Denton County using planes, said Jennifer Ochieng of the Denton County Health Department.
“I don’t think there’s any discussion of aerial spraying in Denton County,” Ochieng said.
How Denton County cities and towns counter the West Nile threat is up to each city’s officials, she noted.
“We do leave it up to our individual towns and cities to launch spraying.”
The West Nile threat has become so serious Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings on Wednesday declared the city’s recent West Nile virus outbreak to be a state of emergency and authorized the first aerial spraying of insecticide in the city in more than 45 years.
An Associated Press story noted that Dallas and other North Texas cities have agreed to the rare use of aerial spraying from planes to combat the nation’s worst outbreak of West Nile virus so far this year. Dallas last had aerial spraying in 1966, when more than a dozen deaths were blamed on encephalitis.
More than 200 cases of West Nile and 10 deaths linked to the virus have been reported across Dallas County, where officials authorized aerial spraying last week. State health department statistics show 381 cases and 16 deaths related to West Nile statewide.
“The number of cases, the number of deaths are remarkable, and we need to sit up and take notice,” Rawlings said during a city council briefing. “We do have a serious problem right now.”
Aerial spraying for mosquitoes could begin Thursday evening, depending on weather conditions.
The state health department, which will pay for the $500,000 aerial spraying with emergency funds, has a contract with national spraying company Clarke. Clarke officials have said two to five planes will be used in Dallas County.
— The Associated Press contributed to this report
Local News
Related Photos
-
Denton County officials have reported multiple cases of West Nile virus. Mosquito spraying is underway today in Denton and has been imposed repeatedly in Sanger and Gainesville during the past month. No confirmed cases of West Nile virus have been reported in Cooke County. Courtesy photo
Guest Book
West Nile inches closer to Cooke County
- Local News
-
-
GISD board earmarks funds for improvements
Improvements to Gainesville schools were on the agenda during the Gainesville Independent School District (GISD) board meeting Monday including $52,083.28 taken out of fund balance for installation of new playground equipment at Edison Elementary.
-
Summer Sounds series continues June 28
Gainesville’s “Summer Sounds” outdoor concert series continues Friday, June 28, in downtown Gainesville, with country musician Max Stalling set to headline.
-
NCTC regents approve new staff positions
North Central Texas College regents approved several new positions recommended by the administration at Monday’s regular meeting.
-
NCTC's Wallace elected TCCIA secretary
North Central Texas College Vice-President of Instruction Dr. Brent Wallace was recently elected Secretary of the Texas Community College Instructional Administrators (TCCIA).
-
Unemployment rate down in Cooke County
Recent Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) data shows favorable changes in the local unemployment rate and civilian labor force since the start of 2013, with officials giving equal credit to Cooke County’s strength of industry and proximity to larger cities.
-
Circus clown performs at library storyhour series
Free circus tickets will be available to the ‘greatest show on earth’ as the Cooke County Library (CCL) and Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus (RBABB) have teamed up to promote the library’s summer reading program during a performance Monday by Kelly the Clown at The Little Theater on the North Central Texas College campus.
-
Lions Club holds officer installation
The Gainesville Lions Club is roaring into the summer with the installation of new officers Friday evening at the Landmark Bank building during the annual dinner ceremony.
-
Farm Service Agency accepting committee nominations
Cooke County USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) Executive Director Scott Tiemann, announced that county committee election nominations begin June 17.
-
Council to hear name change for Weber Drive
An ordinance proposing a name change for Gainesville’s Weber Drive is set to get a public hearing during Tuesday’s regular city council meeting.
-
Drought continues throughout state
Despite the helpful torrents of rainfall received in Cooke County lately, many areas in Texas are still classified as being in drought status.
- More Local News Headlines
-
GISD board earmarks funds for improvements
Raw: German President Welcomes President Obama
Fans Cheer Dramatic Heat Comeback
Raw: Arizona Wildfire Scorches 8 Square Miles
Hoffa Mystery Still Fascinates After 4 Decades
Raw: 1 Dead in Shooting at Mo. Apartment Complex
Raw: Huge Fire Near Yosemite National Park
Raw: Obama Arrives in Berlin
3 Charged in Ohio With Enslaving Mom, Daughter
Obama Seeks G-8 Support on Syria
Raw: Volcano Erupts Near Mexico City
Kid Couture: Spending Big Bucks on Babies
Suicide Bombs Target Baghdad Mosque, Killing 29
Military Plans to Put Women in Combat Jobs
Solar Power Chargers in NYC Parks
Civil Rights Groups Sue NYPD Over Muslim Spying
Raw: First Lady, Daughters Enjoy Irish Sights
RAW: NSA Director Says 50 Plots Foiled
Boeing, Airbus Battle for Sales Supremacy
