More mosquitoes test positive for West Nile virus in Austin. Find out where.
Information, reduction kits being given out in South Austin ZIP code. A second mosquito pool has tested positive for West Nile virus in Travis County, Austin Public Health officials have stated. This is in the same South Austin ZIP code, 78744, as the first positive pool reported on May 28. A larvicide has been applied to kill the mosquitoes, and no humans have tested positive yet for the virus. The tests are occurring earlier than in previous years, with the first case reported in Austin being reported on June 28. Austin's Public Health is warning of an active mosquito year due to the rain and warmer temperatures. Prevention measures include wearing insect repellent, draining areas with standing water, avoiding outdoor activities at dusk or dawn, and wearing light-colored clothing with long sleeves and long pants. There is no vaccine for the disease, and most people can use over-the-counter medications.
发表 : 11 个月前 经过 Nicole Villalpando 在 Health Environment
A second mosquito pool has tested positive for West Nile virus in Travis County, Austin Public Health officials said on Friday. The pool is in the same South Austin ZIP code, 78744, as the first positive pool. The first positive pool was reported on May 28.
A larvicide to kill the mosquitoes has been applied, officials said, and no humans have tested positive yet with the virus.
Austin Public Health community health workers are going door-to-door in 78744 giving out information, repellent and other prevention tools. It also has posted signs and sent flyers to the 78744 ZIP code.
“Our teams continue to monitor mosquitoes in the area and take actions to alert and educate residents on the threat and prevention methods,” said Austin Public Health Director Adrienne Sturrup. “While the positive pools have only been seen in 78744, I encourage everyone in Austin and Travis County to follow best practices and protect themselves from mosquitoes through the rest of the year.”
These positive tests are happening earlier than in previous years. Last year, the first case in Travis County was reported June 28. The year before it was July 27, and in 2021 it was in August. Austin Public Health is predicting an active mosquito year because of the rain we have received, as well as the warmer temperatures.
“Due to climate change, mosquitoes are breeding earlier this spring and even into the winter in Central Texas,” Marcel Elizondo, Austin Public Health's environmental health services division chief, said in the beginning of May.
Last year, Austin and Travis County had three West Nile virus cases in humans, including one death, and 48 mosquito pools tested positive for the virus. The death was the first from West Nile locally since 2014.
"If you’re going outside, you need to include mosquito prevention as part of your preparation for the day,” Elizondo said in a statement by Austin Public Health. “Use the prevention tools at our disposal to keep ourselves, our families and communities safe.”
Those tools include wearing insect repellent, draining areas with standing water, avoiding going out at dusk or dawn, and wearing light-colored, loose-fitting clothing with long sleeves and long pants.
What are the symptoms of West Nile virus?
About 80% of people who contract West Nile virus have no symptoms. Most people who do develop symptoms have fever, headaches, joint pain, body aches, swollen lymph glands, vomiting, diarrhea or a rash. A blood test or a spinal fluid sample can confirm the cause.
People who are 60 or older have the highest risk of severe illness, as well as people who have underlying medical conditions such as cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure or kidney disease, or who have had an organ transplant.
There is no vaccine for West Nile virus. Most people can use over-the-counter medications.
It's not just West Nile
Local infectious disease experts also worry that climate change could mean that mosquito-borne illnesses we haven't seen could make their way to Central Texas since the type of mosquitoes that carry those diseases have made their way to the United States because of warmer temperatures. Last year, Florida had homegrown, not travel-related, malaria cases. Other mosquito-borne diseases like Zika, dengue and chikungunya fever could hit Texas.
When we tested 16 insect repellents, some with DEET, some with all-natural ingredients, we confirmed that the more DEET, the better they generally worked. Wristbands and wearable fans didn't work as well.
• DEET products can be used on anyone 2 months and older.
• Products with lemon eucalyptus oil should not be used on children younger than 3 unless it has less than 30% lemon eucalyptus oil.
• Kids younger than 10 should not apply repellent themselves. Instead of spraying it directly on young children, spray it into your hands and then rub it into their skin. The same technique is true for faces of all ages.
• You can spray exposed skin and clothing, but do not spray underneath clothing.
• You need only light coverage.
• Spray repellent outside rather than inside and not near food.
• Avoid inhaling the sprays. Wash your hands after applying repellents.
• After using an insect repellent, it's recommended that you wash it off when you're done for the day, and you should change out of the clothes you sprayed with repellent.
The Environmental Protection Agency regulates products that have these ingredients:
• Picaridin (known as KBR 3023 and icaridin outside the U.S.)
At epa.gov/insect-repellents/find-repellent-right-you, you can find insect repellents that have been regulated by the EPA and are considered safe for use by humans.
How can I keep mosquitoes out of my yard?
To keep mosquitoes away:
• Dump out any source of standing water.
• Regularly clean out anything that needs to have water, such as a bird bath. Use mosquito dunks or mosquito fish in ponds to eat the mosquito larvae. Make sure rain barrels are covered.
• Look for drainage problems in your yard and fix them with a French drain.
• Plant lemon balm, mint, chrysanthemums, marigolds, basil, garlic, eucalyptus, lavender, rosemary and lemongrass around your yard. Or use oils and candles with those scents to discourage mosquitoes.
• Scatter coffee grounds in the soil wherever there have been drainage problems. They deprive the eggs in the soil of oxygen.
• Install lights around the yard that mosquitoes don't like, such as LED lights, yellow bug lights or sodium lamps.
• Use a fan or fans on the patio to discourage mosquitoes from flocking there.
• Hire a professional service to treat your yard. Make sure the employees know whether you have pets or children who crawl around in the yard.
话题: Environment-ESG