It’s Back
West Nile mosquitoes being found carrying diseases in nearby areas has almost become a tradition at this point. And like clockwork, we’ve found our first cases of the year. According to the Department of Health, the first mosquitoes found to be carrying the West Nile virus were spotted in New York, more specifically Staten Island and Queens. And of course, because where there’s smoke there’s fire, very quickly other areas came to realize they were dealing with the same problem. Parts of Texas have also announced that they are dealing with a similar case. Since it’s likely that more mosquitoes are on their way to different areas with the same virus, caution is encouraged.
Upper West Nile
Staten Island and Queens have seen West Nile mosquitoes of late, but thankfully there has yet to be a human case of West Nile. So far, the consensus seems to be that they are localized to two sites. One batch of infected mosquitoes was found in Glen Oaks, Queens while the other was found in New Dorp Beach, Staten Island. The Health Department intends to set up more traps and catch basins in the aforementioned infected areas. In the hopes of cutting off the West Nile mosquitoes issue at its source, they are also going to apply larvacide to catch basins, marshlands, and other areas that have standing water. In this way, the mosquito larvae will be killed before they can mature and run the risk of infecting others. Officials are giving their standard recommendations for West Nile mosquitoes: wear insect repellent, cover up, and do what you can to get rid of any standing water that mosquitoes could find.
Infecting The Woodlands
Not to be outdone, the Texas Department of State Health Services confirmed that mosquitoes tested in The Woodlands Township in Montgomery County have also tested positive. These new pests to the area are being blamed on a recent torrent of heavy rains. To do away with the West Nile mosquitoes, the TDSHS will be spraying larvacide on storm drains and streets. In a climate like that of Texas, it’s imperative to get rid of West Nile mosquitoes before they spread even more and do damage; Montgomery County had 32 human cases of West Nile last year. Texas is giving similar warning as New York regarding how to deal with these pests, urging people to do as much as they can to rid their areas of pools of water.
