HARRIS COUNTY, Texas — A positive West Nile virus mosquito sample has been collected in Harris County, public health officials announced Wednesday.
Harris County Public Health’s Mosquito and Vector Control Division collected the Culex quinquefasciatus sample from a mosquito-trapping site inside the 610 Loop in Houston's 77019 area code.
The mosquito and vector control division will now activate evening spray operations in the area where the sample was found as well as in surrounding areas to reduce the risk of disease transmission.
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The spraying began Wednesday evening.
“After the recent rains and warmer first months of the year, we are seeing an increase in mosquito populations. We remind our residents to enjoy the outdoors but remember to protect themselves and their families from diseases transmitted by mosquitoes,” said Dr. Maximea (Max) Vigilant, director of the mosquito and vector control division.
Out of the 56 species of mosquitoes found in the Houston area, only a handful transmit diseases such as WNV, Chikungunya, Dengue and Zika, according to public health officials.
Most people who are infected with West Nile virus show no or only mild symptoms such as a low-grade fever and headache.
More severe signs and symptoms can include high fever, stiff neck, disorientation, encephalitis, and rarely, death.
If you think you have been infected, you are urged to contact your healthcare provider.
Here are some tips from the Harris County Public Health's Mosquito and Vector Control Division.
TIP
Follow these simple tips to prevent mosquito breeding sites around your home, especially right after a weather event:
- Tip or empty standing water from pet bowls, flowerpots, tires, buckets and other containers.
- If you have a birdbath, change its water every three to five days.
TOSS
Mosquitoes are also able to breed in small spots where stagnant water might be hidden from the human eye. Practice the following tips to reduce mosquito breeding in covered spots:
- Toss out debris, trash, and other unwanted items around your home.
- Clean out clogged rain gutters.
- Keep outdoor trash bins closed and avoid overfilling them.
- Do not sweep lawn clippings, leaves, or litter into storm drains as this will prevent water from flowing, creating ideal mosquito-breeding sites.
- ·Minimize opportunities for standing water to accumulate by emptying stagnant water from flowers pots, buckets, tires, or any other water-collecting objects.
TAKE ACTION
- There are also several ways to take action and reduce mosquito populations.
- When using mosquito repellent, keep these points in mind:
- Use as directed by the label instructions on the product.
- Do not use insect repellents on babies younger than 2 months of age.
- Do not use products containing oil of lemon eucalyptus or para-menthane-diol on children younger than 3 years of age.
- Apply an EPA-registered repellent on yourself and your loved ones when outdoors.
- When possible, wear long sleeves, pants, and socks.
- Treat standing water with larvicides in areas where water cannot be covered, emptied, or removed and will not be used for drinking. Larvicides are a type of pesticide that is applied to kill mosquitoes in their early stages of development (larvae) before they become biting adults. They are sold in forms of liquid, tablets, pellets, granules, and briquettes and available in most hardware stores. Larvicides are safe to use for the environment. Follow the instructions of the larvicide product you are using.
- Make sure to completely turn off outdoor faucets to prevent leaks; fix any faucets that are constantly leaking
- Keep tight-fitting screens on doors and windows.
For other mosquito prevention tips and resources, click here.