A number of mosquito samples have tested positive for the West Nile virus, according to the Harris County Public Health Mosquito and Vector Division. The number of positive test samples jumped from 18 to 32 Friday nearly doubling the number of infected.
A field operations manager at the Harris County Public Health Mosquito and Vector Division named Chris Fredregill said, "So we found West Nile so far in several mosquito populations around the county. It's normal for this time of year. It just kind of starts to pick up around this time and slowly builds up as soon as we get mosquito positives we send out vehicles to treat the area."
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Mosquitoes have been every present in the greater Houston area, but due to a cold winter, the county says the number of mosquitoes was down until very recently. The increase in positive test samples is common at this time of year, and the county has created a map to show where the mosquito samples were taken.
Fredregill added that even if your area is not in the infected area of the map, it is important to stay proactive. Birds spread the disease to southern house mosquitoes which can then spread to humans through contact. "Just because your area may not be positive for West Nile Virus or a mosquito-borne disease, to maintain your vigilance and keep your property clean, keep the standing water down," Fredregill said.
Experts recommend putting on sunscreen then after ten minutes adding bug repellent.
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Source: https://www.click2houston.com/news/west-nile-virus-threat-increases-in-harris-county
Twitter: #Houston #WestNile #Mosquitoes #HarrisCounty #Texas #PublicHealth #VectorDivision
