HOUSTON – The Harris County Public Health has identified a spike in cases of West Nile virus after several people were hospitalized after being infected following Hurricane Beryl’s impact.
The hurricane not only brought damaging winds and heaving rain but with the combination of Houston humidity and hot temperatures -- made it a breeding ground for mosquitos to thrive.
Earlier in July, we reported an increase in mosquito population due to the storm’s aftermath.
HCPH officials held a virtual meeting Friday to urge residents to take precautions to protect themselves.
Health officials also announced the launch of a new dashboard that will help residents track mosquito-borne cases. (Click here for dashboard)
According to the dashboard, at least seven Harris County residents have been infected by the West Nile virus and two travel-related dengue cases have been reported.
HCPH also confirmed 520 positive mosquito samples across 168 of its 268 operational areas.
“We are seeing more West Nile virus-positive mosquito pools this year than in previous years,” said Maximea “Max” Vigilant, DrPH, MPH, Director of the Mosquito and Vector Control Division. “This is partly due to our implementation of a more sensitive testing method, qPCR, which allows us to test a larger number of mosquitoes, and hence detect any virus circulating in the populations.”
The Texas Department of State Health Services recommends practicing the “Four Ds” as precautionary measures:
- Use insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus.
- Dress in long sleeves and long pants when you are outside.
- Stay indoors at dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active.
- Drain standing water where mosquitoes breed. Common breeding sites include old tires, flowerpots and clogged rain gutters.
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