West Nile Virus found in Farmers Branch

One mosquito-testing pool in Farmers Branch tested positive for West Nile Virus by the Dallas County Health and Human Services (DCHHS) on Monday, July 14.

It was one of five pools sampled in Dallas County that tested positive. Two others were located in the Carrollton zip codes of 75006 and 75007 and two in the Dallas zip codes of 75215 and 75225.

Most people infected with the virus show no symptoms. Up to 20 percent will display mild, flu-like symptoms including headache and body aches, nausea, vomiting, swollen lymph glands and a rash on the chest, stomach and back. Symptoms typically develop three to 14 days after a mosquito bite.

West Nile Virus is spread primarily by the bite of infected mosquitoes and not through casual contact or by kissing someone with West Nile Virus. According to the DCHHS website, in a small number of cases, the virus is spread through pregnancy, breastfeeding, blood transfusions or organ transplants.

About 1 out of 150 infected people develop serious illness, which is sometimes fatal, according to the Center of Disease Control.

In 2024, DCHHS reported that 20 pools in Farmers Branch tested positive for the virus, while 28 pools in Carrollton and seven pools in Addison tested positive.

Dallas County Health and Human Services reported 37 cases of West Nile fever in 2024, which included one person from Farmers Branch and two people from Carrollton. Three people died of the virus.

There is no vaccine or medicine to prevent West Nile fever. Health officials recommend people take protective measures to prevent mosquito bites.

• Use EPA-registered insect repellents that contain DEET, Picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus, para-menthane-diol or 2-undecanone. (Do not use oil of lemon eucalyptus or para-menthane-diol on children younger than 3.)
• Wear loose-fitting clothing that covers arms and legs.
• Cover strollers and baby carriers with mosquito netting.
• Empty water-holding containers. Even a drop of water in the lid of a bottle cap can breed mosquitoes.
• Once a week, empty and scrub items that old water such as tires, buckets, toys, pools, birdbaths, flowerpot saucers and trash containers.
• Drain areas of the landscape outside your home where mosquitoes are most active.
• Limit your time outside during dusk to dawn when mosquitoes are most active.

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