Dallas County Doctors Urge Aerial Spraying to Fight West Nile

Texas’ much-needed moisture and mild winter has created the perfect breeding ground for West Nile virus. The virus is spread by mosquitoes, which feed off infected animals. The Texas Department of State Health Services reported that 243 Texans have contracted the virus this year – the highest number of cases since 2004.

The situation in North Texas is particularly severe, prompting Dallas County Medical Society (DCMS) President Richard Snyder II, MD, to send a letter to the Dallas County Health and Human Services Department urging immediate aerial spraying for West Nile virus. DCMS received a lot of publicity for their stand on the issue. Health officials have declined to act on the recommendation.

• Medical Group Recommends Aerial Mosquito Spraying – NBC Dallas/Ft. Worth
• Before West Nile, encephalitis: A flashback to 1966, the last time Dallas’ air was filled with insecticide – The Dallas Morning News
• Group urges aerial spraying for West Nile virus – MyFox Dallas/Ft. Worth