Under a state of emergency, planes flew above Dallas County, Texas, overnight "for an aerial assault against the mosquito population," HLN affiliate KXAS reported. Social media sites have been full of reactions.
"Hide ya kids, hide ya wife! It's spray time: Garland/Mesquite/Park Cities/Richardson/much of Dallas north of I-30, thru 3 am" Christy R. posted on Twitter.
People in the area have been living with the mosquito threat, knowing that any bug bite they get might lead to a serious illness. They can’t seem to help posting their concerns when one of the bugs digs in.
"I got a mosquito bite ... I better not get West Nile,” Elizabeth P. posted. "Ah h*** got a mosquito bite hope I don't got that West Nile,” Andre O. wrote.
At least 14 people in Texas have died from the virus, and hundreds of cases have been reported around the country. For some people living in Dallas County, the planes were a welcome sight.
"I don’t have a problem with aerial spraying for west Nile- spray every day!” Cindy N. posted.
“Whoo hoo. Mosquito aka West Nile spraying in Dallas County has commenced,” @carolinewhatevs posted.
Others, however, were concerned about the contents of the spray blanketing the county.
“Mosquito spraying all over the metroplex tonight. West Nile is bad here. Is poison better?” Marji L. posted on Twitter.
"All this aerial spraying in N. Texas is just causing more panic about the West Nile virus. Buck up and stop protesting it people, you'll live,” Christina S. posted.
Her thoughts were echoed by others online who would rather deal with the spray than contract a disease.
"Sick of stupidity in Dallas! 230 people have already died from the West Nile so spraying is absolutely necessary, get over your ignorance!” Nancy K. posted on Twitter. In reality, media outlets have reported that 230 people have been sickened.
Before the planes flew overhead, people like Jo’Anna D. were reminding others in the community to take safety precautions. “For everybody in Dallas: if you are coming in from outside from 10-4 make sure u take a shower immediately. They are spraying for West Nile,” she posted on Twitter.
That’s just what Robert W. said he did. "Dallas Skeeter plane just flew over--dogs and I just ran inside--kill that nasty West Nile virus!"
Other people seemed concerned about other animals too.
"Watching my mom attempt to save a little frog because Dallas is spraying for West Nile mosquitoes tonight. She built him a frog box mansion," Jonny Z. wrote.
Adding to the intensity of the situation, many people living in Dallas commented about the sound of the planes overhead.
”All this talk about West Nile spraying and planes makes it sound like a war zone,” Melanie H. wrote.
"I can totally hear the planes overhead spraying for West Nile. Sounds like they're dive bombing something,” Kelsey C. wrote on Twitter.
Other counties in Texas are considering the same battle tactics.
HLN readers, as more cases are reported, are you concerned about the West Nile virus in your area? Leave your questions and comments below, and we’ll get them answered on HLN.
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