ENVIRONMENT

Arlington Orders Emergency Ground Spraying Following Positive West Nile Virus Tests

PUBLISHED Aug 25, 2026, 5:11 PM ET

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Arlington, Texas, began targeted mosquito spraying after Tarrant County Public Health reported a mosquito-trap sample positive for West Nile virus Aug. 25. Contractors are scheduled to spray within a half-mile of Park Hill Drive and Mossy Oak Street from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. Aug. 25 and 26, weather permitting. The treatment uses an ultra-low-volume, water-based permethrin product to reduce infected adult mosquitoes and prevent human infections. Arlington’s mosquito program traps from May through October, with weekly samples tested for West Nile and St. Louis encephalitis viruses. The city says spraying normally follows three consecutive positive weeks, but may occur sooner when factors such as high mosquito abundance, proximity to a human case, nighttime events or high infection rates warrant action. The city says EPA determined its permethrin product does not pose an unreasonable human-health risk when used as directed. No human infection was reported in the announcement.

By Daniel Hayes | JQJO News

Timeline of Events

On July 27, 2021, Arlington conducted spraying after WNV detection.
On July 2, 2024, Arlington confirmed five positive mosquito samples.
On July 16, 2024, Arlington confirmed seven positive WNV samples.
On August 5, 2025, five Arlington traps tested WNV-positive locally.
On August 12, 2025, Arlington scheduled spraying across four areas.
On September 23, 2025, four Arlington mosquito traps tested positive.
On October 14, 2025, Arlington sprayed two qualifying positive-trap locations.
On August 18, 2026, Arlington announced another targeted spraying operation.
On August 25, 2026, officials began two-night targeted spraying operations.
On August 26, 2026, spraying is scheduled again, weather permitting.
Over coming weeks, weekly trapping will continue monitoring virus activity.
Through October 2026, surveillance should identify additional areas needing intervention.

News Intelligence

Immediate US impact: Targeted spraying reduces infected adult mosquitoes around affected Arlington neighborhoods.
Possible long-term US impact: Continued surveillance may limit West Nile transmission through mosquito-season interventions.
Most affected groups: Arlington residents and mosquito-control crews face the most immediate effects.
Reader priority: Readers should prioritize city notices, health guidance, and verified reporting.