Tag Archives: mosquitos

The City of El Paso Department of Public Health has been notified that one of several mosquito pools collected here have tested positive for West Nile Virus.

“When it comes to West Nile virus it is never really a question of ‘if’ we can expect to see the disease locally, but rather ‘when”, said Robert Resendes, Public Health Director. “What we can do is be proactive against being bitten and be aware that there are other diseases that could present themselves in El Paso.”

The Vector Control Program with the Environmental Services Department has been setting traps this season since May. The mosquito pool that tested positive was located in the central part of town within the 79903 zip code.

In years past, human cases of diseases like Chikungunya, Dengue, and Zika virus have been seen in El Paso but in travel-associated cases only. El Paso has yet to see a locally acquired case of these diseases. When it comes to West Nile, there have been no cases reported this season, but a total of 14 human cases were confirmed locally last year.

As we continue to see sporadic rains in the area, residents are reminded that it only takes a teaspoon of water to create breeding conditions around your home.

El Pasoans are urged to “Tip and Toss” items outside their homes frequently, to prevent stagnant water which could result in mosquito breeding. Residents should also follow these tips.

• DEET – Use insect repellents that contain DEET when outdoors.
• DRESS – Wear long sleeves, long pants, and socks when outdoors.
• DUSK and DAWN – Although mosquitoes associated with Zika can be active throughout the day, residents should take extra care during peak mosquito biting hours (from dusk to dawn) or consider avoiding outdoor activities during these times.
• DRAIN – Drain standing water from flowerpots, gutters, buckets, pool covers, pet water dishes, and birdbaths.

For more information on the Public Health Department, call 2-1-1 or visit www.EPHealth.com or www.EPSalud.com

Two new confirmed cases of West Nile Virus in two El Paso men brings the total number of cases in El Paso to 13 so far this season.

The new cases involve a man in his 70’s who lives in the Mission Valley and a man in his early 60’s who lives on the city’s eastside. Both have reported underlying medical conditions.

Health officials credit local health care providers for properly identifying cases and following through with reporting this notifiable disease.

“We invite the community to join us and take mosquito-borne disease prevention seriously,” said Fernando Gonzalez, Lead Epidemiologist. “This weekend’s Zika Action Day event will provide an opportunity for families and individuals to learn and gain a better understanding of what they can do to help prevent diseases like West Nile Virus and Zika.”

The Zika Action Day will take place on Saturday, September 23, 2017 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon at Memorial Park located at the corner of Luna Street and Wheeling Avenue.

The following is a compilation of cases identified by Department of Public Health Epidemiology Division so far this year:

The most effective way to avoid West Nile virus disease and other mosquito-borne illnesses, is to prevent mosquito bites. Defend yourself by using the 4 D’s:
• DEET – Use insect repellents when you go outdoors.

• DRESS – When weather permits, wear long sleeves, long pants, and socks when outdoors.

• DUSK and DAWN – Although mosquitoes associated with Zika can be active throughout the day, residents should take extra care during peak mosquito biting hours (from dusk to dawn) or consider avoiding outdoor activities during these times.

• DRAIN – Help reduce the number of mosquitoes around and outside your home by emptying standing water from flowerpots, gutters, buckets, pool covers, pet water dishes, discarded tires, and birdbaths on a regular basis.

An elderly man in his 70s has become the fourth confirmed person in El Paso to be diagnosed with West Nile Virus in El Paso this year.

According to El Paso Department of Public Health officials, the man lives in Central El Paso and does not have a history of recent travel.

The patient does have underlying medical conditions, but is recovering at home.

“City officials are testing mosquitoes from all parts of town, and a great many of them are coming back positive for West Nile Virus,” said Fernando Gonzalez, Lead Epidemiologist. “Every time it rains we need to remember about draining standing water outside our homes in order to prevent this deadly disease.”

The most effective way to avoid West Nile virus disease and other mosquito-borne illnesses, is to prevent mosquito bites. Defend yourself by using the 4 D’s:

• DEET – Use insect repellents when you go outdoors. Repellents containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535, and some oil of lemon eucalyptus and para-menthane-diol products provide longer-lasting protection. To optimize safety and effectiveness, repellents should be used according to the label instructions.
• DRESS – When weather permits, wear long sleeves, long pants, and socks when outdoors. Mosquitoes may bite through thin clothing, so spraying clothes with repellent containing permethrin or another EPA-registered repellent will give extra protection. Don’t apply repellents containing permethrin directly to skin. Rather, spray permethrin-containing products only on clothing.
• DUSK and DAWN – Although mosquitoes associated with Zika can be active throughout the day, residents should take extra care during peak mosquito biting hours (from dusk to dawn) or consider avoiding outdoor activities during these times.
• DRAIN – Help reduce the number of mosquitoes around and outside your home by emptying standing water from flowerpots, gutters, buckets, pool covers, pet water dishes, discarded tires, and birdbaths on a regular basis.

Residents can also mosquito-proof their home by installing or repairing screens on windows and doors to keep mosquitoes out. To report standing water or mosquito breeding, call 3-1-1.

The City of El Paso Vector Control Program, under the Environmental Services Department, maintains its efforts to minimize the risk and prevent the spread of mosquito-borne illnesses by controlling and decreasing the mosquito population year-round.

Vector Control provides effective and environmentally sound mosquito control services throughout the City. Services include inspections, larvicide applications, hand and truck spraying/fogging, and, when necessary, placement of mosquito fish.

Vector Control Officers constantly trap and send mosquito samples to both the University of Texas at El Paso and the Department of State Health Services Laboratory Services section. Officers use traps to capture mosquitoes so they can tested for diseases, such as Zika and West Nile.

In addition, Vector Control teams spray insecticide “fog” yearly. The services are mainly performed in the early morning hours when a significant number of mosquitoes are captured. If stagnant water is present, Vector Control Officers take a water sample to check for breeding. If breeding is discovered, proper treatment is performed to kill the pupae.

While mosquitoes can never be completely eliminated, Vector Control strives to effectively control them by reducing population levels to more tolerable levels. Preventative measures can be taken and Vector Control asks residents to be mindful of mosquitoes and prevent breeding by practicing the following:

• Tip over anything that can hold stagnate water (buckets, wheel barrows, plastic pools)
• Change water in pet bowls/bird baths every three days
• Keep yards trimmed; no weeds, tall grass
• Make sure windows at home have screens
• Cover up when outside for long periods of time (shoes, socks, pants, long sleeves)
• Use mosquito repellent with DEET

For more information about the City’s mosquito control program, call the Environmental Services Department at 311 or visit http://www.elpasotexas.gov/environmental-services.