West Nile Virus: Texas Prepares for Mosquito Season

FAIRFAX, Va. (April 4, 2013) – Last year’s West Nile virus outbreak was the second-worst on record for the mosquito-borne disease. The CDC reported a total of more than 4,500 cases of West Nile virus disease in people, resulting in more than 180 fatalities. Over one third of the cases were from Texas alone and Dallas County was deemed the epicenter of the outbreak.

Ahead of this year’s upcoming mosquito season, health officials are being more proactive in their mosquito control programs to prevent another epidemic in the South. According to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, starting in May, Arlington officials “will begin trapping and testing mosquitoes to identify West Nile Virus hot spots and start applying larvicide to standing water, such as streams and ponds, on public property.” Other county officials are setting up strategic plans to combat West Nile virus as far as treatments and spraying are concerned. 

As mosquito season ramps up, the National Pest Management Association encourages anyone who is concerned about mosquito activity on their property to contact a pest management company or the local mosquito abatement district.