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Cases of West Nile down since spraying
By Heather M. Goodwin, hgoodwin@starlocalnews.com
Since opting in for the aerial spraying, less than 40 new cases of West Nile virus have been reported in Denton County - and none have been reported in Lewisville.
On Aug. 27, the Lewisville City Council members voted to opt in for the Denton County aerial spraying, which was completed Aug. 31-Sept. 2. During the Nov. 5 city council meeting, Bing Burton, director of the Denton County Health Department, presented the results of the spraying.
Councilman John Gorena, who requested the West Nile report, said there may have been other ways to combat the virus.
Burton said in August, Denton County had the highest instance rate of West Nile in the state.
"Maybe we didn't get as many mosquitoes as we would like to have gotten, but I was delighted to see that 56 percent of mosquitoes in the spray area were killed," Burton said.
Burton also said that 60 percent of culex mosquitoes were killed. Culex mosquitoes serve as carriers of diseases, such as West Nile virus. He said West Nile cases "dropped dramatically after spraying."
"Aerial spraying was certainly a major factor, but there were other factors as well that led to the drop in September," Burton said. "There was a change in weather, change in temperature - there were a number of factors."
Burton said no other state had the numbers of West Nile cases like Texas. In Denton County there were 182 cases, Dallas County had 387 and Tarrant County had 272. Denton County sprayed 250,000 acres twice from Aug. 31-Sept. 2.
"The real heroes in this event were the doctors and hospitals who diagnosed early and kept the death rate low," Burton said.
The Lewisville City Council also tabled a variance request from Lewisville ISD. The district is asking to renew a variance granted in 2009 allowing an approximately 175 foot span of six-foot high chain link fence to remain in lieu of providing the required screening fence along the east property line of the site. The remainder of the screening fence complies with the ordinance.
The district constructed the Harmon 9th and 10th grade campus in 2010. Now, it is proposing to construct a 49,500 square foot natatorium located on the northern portion of the site, approximately 1,000 feet from the eastern property line that abuts multi-family zoning.
Claude King, city manager, said the city has sent emails and left messages with the district concerning the variance request. He said the city has been trying to reach district officials since January.
"Because LISD has chosen not to respond to our questions, we will table that item until we get some questions answered," said Mayor Dean Ueckert.
The item is set to be on Monday's city council agenda.
"We heard from district officials the very next morning after the meeting," said James Kunke, community relations and tourism director. "They've been positive, productive talks, but I'm not sure how that will affect the agenda item."
The city council will meet at 7 p.m. Monday in the council chambers, 151 W. Church St.
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