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West Nile Virus

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1. What is the City of Frisco doing about mosquito viruses?

The City of Frisco treats city-owned areas of stagnant water with a larvicide. This is an integral part of the approach recommended by the CDC in minimizing the number of mosquitoes in our area. The city also performs a mosquito surveillance program. In this program, mosquitoes are trapped and shipped for testing by a contracted entomologist. Traps are tested once per week and results are received within 48 hours. A trap testing positive will result in increased monitoring efforts that could include treating with larvicide and adulticide to reduce the mosquito population. Source reduction / elimination (removing standing water and mosquito breeding habitats) are considered to be the most effective tool in preventing the possible transmission of mosquito-borne illnesses. In addition, there is continuous monitoring of areas owned and maintained by the City of Frisco.

On April 16, 2013, City Council approved a revised Mosquito Surveillance and Response Plan. The plan includes a comprehensive surveillance program that is science-based and will be able to identify the disease-transmitting mosquitoes and their gender versus nuisance mosquitoes. Efforts are made to disseminate new information as quickly as possible to our citizens.

If you have questions, please contact Health & Food Safety.

2. How can I protect myself to reduce the risk of mosquito bites?

Preventing mosquito bites is the best way to avoid getting West Nile Virus. The Texas Department of State Health Services tells people to "Wear, Apply and Remove":

• WEAR: Wear long sleeves, pants outside at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active.
• APPLY: Use insect repellants every time you go outside. Approved repellents contain DEET, picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus.
• REMOVE:  Drain standing water that collects in bird baths, French drains, clogged gutters, saucers under potted plants and ‘splash blocks’ (at end of gutter down spout). The mosquitoes that carry WNV can breed in stagnant water.

Please refer to the CDC for detailed precaution recommendations for children and adults. What to do instead? Consider using alternatives that are non-toxic, but still effective, such as organic alternatives. If you have questions, please contact Health & Food Safety.

3. Will the City of Frisco treat areas on private property?

No. The City of Frisco may only treat areas that are publicly-owned and maintained. Private landowners are responsible for all maintenance on their own property. Areas such as subdivision pools are on private property, typically owned by a development company or a homeowner's association and may not be treated by the City of Frisco. If you have questions, please contact Health & Food Safety.

4. I see standing water in a drainage easement next to my property. What should I do?

If the water is a breeding ground for mosquitoes, please contact the owner of the property, which is frequently a homeowners' association. The owner is responsible for maintaining drainage easements, detention or retention areas. The water is not a breeding ground when one or more of the following is evident:

1. The water is flowing.
2. Fish are present.
3. The water dries up within 72 hours of a rainfall.

If you have questions, please contact Health & Food Safety.

5. Does the City of Frisco spray for mosquitoes?

The city's plan includes details of when spraying should be considered. The city follows recommendations from the CDC's Integrated Pest Management Plan. View Frisco's mosquito surveillance and response plan online. If you have questions, please contact Health & Food Safety.

6. When the City does spray, what area(s) will be sprayed and at what times?

Spraying will be implemented based on the Integrated Pest Management criteria:

• Time of year
• Current level of mosquito activity
• Weather
• Surveillance results

One positive mosquito or human case will initiate control measures appropriate to the applicable conditions in an attempt to stop or slow transmission.

Frisco will spray between 1/2 mile to 1 mile radius of the affected area, depending on population density. Frisco will spray areas two days consecutively. The application truck will drive streets of areas noted from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m.

If you have questions, please contact Health & Food Safety.

7. How will the city alert the public of areas to be sprayed?

The City of Frisco uses multiple communication avenues listed below.

Online tools:

• Follow us on Twitter or like us on Facebook.
• Frisco Television Network (FTVN) is broadcast locally on Grande Channel 12, Time Warner Digital Channel 16, AT&T U-verse Channel 99 and Verizon FIOS Channel 37, or watch it live online.
• The home page of Frisco lists all current alerts and press releases issued by the city.
• Residents may sign-up for the city's eNews service to have City of Frisco news emailed to them.

The City of Frisco may also use lighted message boards for major thoroughfares and use vinyl signs for minor streets and subdivisions. If you have questions, please contact Health & Food Safety.

8. What is known about the effects on dogs and cats?

View questions online on the known effects of the West Nile virus on cats and dogs. If you have questions, please contact Health & Food Safety.

9. How can I find out what cases have been confirmed?

Please visit Texas Department of State Health Services West Nile Virus website for more information regarding our area. If you have questions, please contact Health & Food Safety.

10. What is the chemical the third-party contractor would use when spraying?

The contractor uses Aqua Perm-X UL 30-30. If you have questions, please contact Health & Food Safety.

11. Can I request that my residence / neighborhood be sprayed?

You cannot request that your residence be sprayed at this time. If you have questions, please contact Health & Food Safety.

12. What precautions should I take when the city does spray?

It is recommended you stay indoors during application, bring pets indoors, and refresh outdoor animal water devices the next morning. Koi ponds and organic gardens should be covered. If you have questions, please contact Health & Food Safety.

13. Can the applicator turn off the sprayer at my house if I request so?

No. We ask that citizens concerned about the spraying take individual precautions to stay indoors and to close doors and windows. Research has shown the droplet size emitted by the sprayer does not penetrate readily into a structure. If you have questions, please contact Health & Food Safety.

14. I live behind / just outside the radius circle noted. Will my house receive overspray?

We cannot guarantee that wind drift will not occur. If you have questions, please contact Health & Food Safety.

15. I jog at night. What do I do if I see the fogging truck?

The truck operator will turn off the sprayer if people are outdoors, and the sprayer will remain off until a safe distance is met. The chemical manufacturers require avoidance of direct exposure with the spray. If you have questions, please contact Health & Food Safety.

16. Will the chemicals affect my car, patio furniture, or pool water?

The spray produces a very fine mist of less than 20 microns. There is no evidence suggesting adverse effects of stationery objects. Pool water, if properly filtrated, will be unaffected. If you have questions, please contact Health & Food Safety.

17. What do I need to know about Zika and other viruses?

Collin County Health Care Services confirmed in May 2016 a positive, travel-related case of the Zika virus in a Frisco resident. The Texas Department of State Health Services website encourages people to use caution when traveling in regions and countries where Zika virus transmission is ongoing. DSHS recommends the following steps to avoid mosquito bites.

• Wear Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered insect repellents.
• Cover up with long-sleeved shirts and long pants.
• Keep mosquitoes out with air conditioning or intact window screens.
• Limit outdoor activities during peak mosquito times.

Check out the website for the Centers for Disease Control for more information about Zika virus and other mosquito viruses. For more information, contact the City of Frisco’s Health & Food Safety Division of the Development Services Department at 972-292-5304 or go to www.FriscoTexas.gov/WNV . Experts says Zika virus symptoms include fever, rash, joint pain and red eyes that may persist up to a week. 

Click for more about mosquito-born viruses.

18. What are the symptoms of West Nile virus?

The symptoms can be explained by the CDC's fact sheet.  The CDC says virus symptoms include fever, rash, joint pain, body ache, vomiting, or diarrhea. Fatigue and weakness can persist for weeks or months. If you have questions, please contact Health & Food Safety.