**HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) –** This mosquito season has been particularly intense, and with more rain forecasted, the situation is expected to worsen. To combat the aggressive insects, Harris County Health officials and residents must collaborate.
Daisy Cedillo, an avid runner in Memorial Park, feels like she is under constant attack. “Honestly, they’re going crazy; I don’t know what’s in the air,” she told.
The combination of heat, humidity, and flooding rains creates ideal breeding conditions for mosquitoes in southeast Texas. Dr. Max Vigilant, the director of mosquito control for Harris County, attributes the intense season to these factors. “We have floodwater mosquitoes in the floodwater. They’re the ones that chase people around; they are aggressive,” he explained.
Vigilant’s office conducts daily surveillance, collecting mosquitoes from traps and separating them to check for the West Nile virus. Laboratory Manager of Operations Lindsey Labouf mentioned that they test for West Nile three times a week for mosquitoes and once a week for birds.
If mosquitoes test positive, spray trucks are dispatched to cover a 5-mile radius around the area. “We have to knock out a 5-mile radius around the area that was positive,” Vigilant said.
So far this year, five cases of West Nile have been reported. Mild cases exhibit flu-like symptoms, while severe cases can lead to tremors, seizures, and confusion.
To protect against mosquitoes, residents should use insect repellent, tip over containers with standing water, dispose of old tires and debris, and clean drains. “We’re asking them to do those things. Help protect themselves. We can do the rest by treating the areas, but residents have to help us,” Vigilant urged.
