Two mosquitoes captured in Commerce have tested positive for the West Nile Virus, a news release from the city said today. The virus was detected in the insects in Texas Department of State Health Services laboratories, to which cities routinely send samples for testing.
No human cases of West Nile Virus have been reported in Commerce or elsewhere in Hunt County.
City staff will begin spraying for mosquitoes this evening, beginning around 7:30 p.m., officials said. Spraying is scheduled to continue Thursday and Friday evenings. The release from the city advised that while the pesticide is of "low toxicity" to humans and pets, that contact with the spray should be avoided, and that city staff will not spray if people are in the immediate vicinity of the trucks.
The West Nile Virus is typically spread to humans and animals by infected mosquitoes, which get the virus from infected birds. Most people infected with the virus show no symptoms, although about 20 percent of those infected will develop West Nile Fever, the symptoms of which can include pain, fatigue and swelling.
