A Positive Mosquito Trap Turned Up West of Argyle — and Denton County Has 2 Confirmed Human Cases This Season

If you've got a birdbath, a clogged gutter, or any container holding water in your yard right now, go dump it today.

Denton County Public Health confirmed a positive West Nile virus mosquito trap in the unincorporated area west of Argyle — specifically the northwestern portions of the Harvest community. That puts the virus squarely in southern Denton County, closer to Flower Mound and Argyle than most earlier detections this season. The county responded with three rounds of truck-based ultra-low volume fogging in the area, running between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m., weather permitting.

The official Denton County West Nile tracker at DentonCounty.gov/WNV shows two confirmed human cases so far in 2026. The first case, announced July 10, was a Denton resident with the non-neuroinvasive form of the illness. The second, announced July 30, was a Colony resident diagnosed with neuroinvasive disease — the more serious form. No further personal details were released for either patient. Check the live tracker for the current number as the season continues.

As of data through early August, Denton County had 31 positive mosquito pools confirmed this season, according to Texas DSHS reporting.

The timing matters. August is historically one of the most active months for West Nile in North Texas, and mosquitoes are most aggressive at dusk and dawn. The virus spreads when a Culex mosquito bites an infected bird and then bites a person. About 1 in 5 infected people develop any symptoms at all. Fewer than 1% of infections reach the neuroinvasive form — meningitis, encephalitis, or acute flaccid myelitis — but that form can be severe. There is no vaccine and no specific treatment. Prevention is the whole game.

Denton County Public Health's guidance:

• Drain standing water in birdbaths, flowerpots, and clogged gutters — anywhere water sits for more than a few days.
• Use EPA-registered repellent with DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus when you're outside.
• Stay in during peak hours — dusk and dawn — or cover up with long sleeves and pants.
• Can't drain a water feature? BTI briquettes (mosquito dunks) kill larvae without harming pets or wildlife.

The county's interactive mosquito trap map updates as new results come in. Find it at DentonCounty.gov/WNV — your best read on what's happening near your zip code right now.