Spraying is ongoing in the RGV, but here’s why combatting mosquitoes is more complicated

1 week ago 29

The recent flooding across the Rio Grande Valley draws the inevitable conclusion that (dramatic music) mosquitoes are about to swarm the region.

This comes after an aggressive thunderstorm dumped more than 14 inches of rain in Weslaco, 20 inches in Harlingen and 12 inches in McAllen between March 27 and 28.

Flooding was widespread in the Valley between March 27-28, displacing hundreds and requiring as many to be rescued. There are still some stranded in their homes in places like Green Valley Farms, a colonia in Cameron County.

There are many health hazards that can occur as a result of flooding, and standing water creating the perfect breeding grounds for mosquitoes is one of them.

Don’t fret, however, cities such as McAllen, Mercedes, Progreso, Harlingen and San Benito have already begun spraying for mosquitoes, while Edinburg and Weslaco officials say they’re using larvicide.

WHO IS SPRAYING

The city of McAllen started spraying Friday evening by treating standing water in right-of-way areas.

Throughout the weekend they continued to treat specific locations to help minimize the mosquito population and any risk of mosquito-borne diseases.

They continued spraying Monday and are planning to spray again Wednesday from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m.

The city of Weslaco began larviciding standing water the day immediately following the heavy rainfall.

Officials there announced on Facebook that they are also adulticiding, or fogging based on mosquito type and resident complaints in the area. They added that fogging would occur at 5 a.m. or 8 p.m. if the weather permitted.

All public roads and parks are scheduled to be sprayed over the course of the week.

The Harlingen Health Department began its city-wide mosquito spraying Monday evening and are expected to continue spraying each evening if the weather permits it.

The city had already started treating stagnant water on Saturday and reassured residents they will continue to do so on Monday.

The city of San Benito announced it would also begin spraying for mosquitoes on Monday now using two spraying units, the second truck which was recently purchased for vector control.

Progreso began spraying for mosquitoes Saturday and asked residents to keep pets and children indoors during that time, as well as advising them to close all windows and doors to minimize exposure.

In Port Isabel, the code enforcement/health department was scheduled to begin spraying for mosquitos from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m.

But there is a way residents can help prevent infestation as well.

Each city and county encourages the public to help by draining any standing water, wearing bug repellent, and dressing appropriately for the outdoors such as wearing long sleeves. It also helps to make sure your grass is cut.

THE HEALTH RISKS

Mosquitoes carry diseases like the West Nile virus, dengue or Zika.

West Nile and dengue can both be marked by headache and a rash, but the former also comes with fever, muscle ache, even encephalitis or meningitis can occur in some cases when transmitted between birds and humans by mosquito.

In Cameron County, Health Authority James Castillo said dengue, which can also cause severe joint pain, is more common in the area and also reminded residents to empty sources of standing water.

Castillo added that now may still be too early to tell whether the mosquito population is booming because of the flooding, but asked residents to take precautions such as wearing repellent and avoiding being out at night or early in the morning.

According to Hidalgo County Health Authority Dr. Ivan Melendez, the type of mosquito that often circulates in the Valley is called the Culex, which can transmit both the West Nile virus and dengue.

“West Nile and dengue are probably the two biggest mosquito viruses that we are concerned about,” Melendez said Tuesday, adding that the county sees only a few cases per year. “Last year was kind of an anomaly. We had seven, more or less seven to eight cases of each one.”

Although West Nile and dengue are the more common viruses in the Valley, Melendez explained that due to the sub-tropical climate in the area they also see diseases such as Zika and chinconcuña.

Melendez added that the Hidalgo County Health Department has a contingency plan after heavy rainfall in which they serve as coordinators between the department and other municipalities.

This consists of three parts: surveillance, trapping and solution.

THE PLAN

First things first. The county’s environmental department, led by Jennifer M. Alvarez, estimates fluctuations in the mosquito population by the simplest method one would think: They stand in areas with lots of mosquitoes and count how many land on them, one by one.

Alvarez explained that they test twice a week, year-round whether the area experiences heavy rains or not.

The process takes about five or 10 minutes.

He explained that on average the team may see about five mosquitoes in an area but that number may increase after rainfall.

This allows them to see the mosquito patterns in the area.

The other part of this is figuring out what type of mosquito is circulating and if they are carrying any diseases.

The epidemiology department will go out into the field and collect mosquitoes which are then frozen and sent to the state lab in Austin, where they are tested to determine any viruses they may carry.

Melendez explained that the life cycle of mosquitoes is about a week from when they hatch to when they lay eggs; however, larvae can remain on the ground for up to 10 years.

The larvae only hatch when there is water which is why the rain causes an uptick in mosquitoes.

West Nile and dengue can be transmitted to people from mosquitoes that bite birds or horses, which have high concentrations of these viruses, Melendez explained.

He added that the county determines when to spray for mosquitoes based on the data collected from the environmental department in order to avoid spraying too early and only catching old bugs.

He added that they currently use a spray that comes in a waffle form that is thrown into the water to exclusively target mosquito larvae.

According to Amy Gonzalez, lead epidemiologist at the Hidalgo County Health Department, municipalities across the Valley meet with the vector task force in which Hidalgo county and neighboring counties Cameron and Willacy discuss the resources they have in order to spray for mosquitoes.

Gonzalez explained that if one area doesn’t have the necessary personnel they will send over assistance.

Melendez said that although heavy rains bring concerns about mosquitoes the department also keeps watch of gastrointestinal disease in areas that struggle with proper drainage.

As of now, the county is anticipating an increase in population by the end of the week due to lingering water.

“All it takes is a tablespoon of water and you can have a whole bunch of mosquitoes from that,” Gonzalez said.

Alvarez shared similar sentiments.

“We haven’t seen an increase yet, which will probably happen about Friday or Saturday because they do have that incubation period,” Alvarez said. “With the mass accumulations of water that’s what gets them to breed faster.”

She added that the county will most likely begin spraying Monday, April 7.

Alvarez explained that community members who may have ditches in front of the homes to make sure the piping is cleared out and there is no debris in the ditch so that the water may flow out easily.

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