1. Bell County Public Health District
FIGHT THE BITE
Protect Yourself, Your Family and Community
From Mosquitoes with the 3Ds
Lacey Sanders
Bell County Public Health District
Epidemiologist

2. Objectives Mosquito Borne Viruses
West Nile, Zika, Chikungunga and Dengue
Vectors and Symptoms
Prevention
Integrated Mosquito Management
Surveillance and Intervention
Questions

4. Culex quinquefasciatus = Southern House mosquito (WNV mosquito)
Aedes aegypti = Yellow Fever mosquito (Zika mosquito)
Culex quinquefasciatus =
Southern House mosquito (WNV mosquito)
Aedes albopictus = Asian Tiger mosquito (Zika mosquito)

5. Public Health Enemy #1
Culex quinquefasciatus, aka the “quinq”, aka the Southern House Mosquito, aka WNV Mosquito
Breeds in stagnant water high in organic matter
Residential inhabitant
Can breed in very small amounts of water
Lays ~ eggs at a time
Lifecycle is ~7 days
Thrives in drought conditions!
Active at dawn and dusk
Feeds on birds and mammals

6. West Nile Virus WNF = West Nile Fever
WNND = West Nile Neuroinvasive Disease
80% infected are asymptomatic
20% WNF
<1% WNND
Flu-like symptoms: Fever, headache, body aches, joint pain, nausea, rash, fatigue
Generally short-lived, but many cite lasting effects (fatigue, weakness)
WNND can be deadly (5-10%)
Onset: 3-14 days after bite

7. 2012:
1,868 Cases
89 Deaths

8. Public Health Enemy #1A
Asian Tiger mosquito, Yellow Fever mosquito (Aedes mosquitoes)
Container breeders
Residential inhabitant, “domesticated”
Can breed in very small amounts of water
Lay eggs singly – “skip oviposition”
Lifecycle is ~7 days
Active during dawn, daytime, dusk, night
Chikungunya, dengue, Zika, heartworm
Needs humidity

9. Zika Can be passed from Mother to Child
Up to 1 in 100 experience birth defects or death of the fetus
Can be spread sexually from by males
Guillian-Barre Syndrome
Questions:
Asymptomatic spread?
What trimester of pregnancy?
Aedes albopictus?
Other developmental delays?
Zika
Aedes mosquitoes can transmit Dengue, Chikungunya, and Zika, but today we will just discuss Zika. For recommendations on preventing sexual transmission, see the CDC website

10. Guillian-Barre Syndrome
Microcephaly
Guillian-Barre Syndrome
Severe birth defect
Can be fatal
Moderate to severe brain damage
1 in 100 chance (?)
Autoimmune syndrome
Causes paralysis
Patients usually recover with treatment
Can be fatal if not treated

11. Is Texas at Risk? Yes! Aggressive day-time biters
Prefer to feed on people
Live indoors and outdoors
Breed around homes (buckets, bird baths, flower pots, etc.)

12. PREVENTION
The most effective mosquito prevention is PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY! The only person responsible for protecting you from mosquito-borne disease is YOU!

13. PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY
At work and home:
Have mosquito repellent available at all times
Spray clothing rather than skin
Keep skin covered
Avoid sunscreen-repellent combos
Avoid working outside at dawn and dusk
Keep Dunks in your vehicles

14. Repellent Brochures are available

15. But what can I do? Check your yards!!! Gutters Irrigation systems
Low lying areas

16. Birdbaths – 2x per week
Plant saucers – 2x per week
Wheelbarrows/gardening equipment
Kids toys
Tires
Rain Barrels

20. What are Mosquito Dunks?
Inactive form of naturally occurring bacteria
Natural product (biological control agent)
Only targets mosquito larvae
Harmless to people, pets, fish, beneficial insects, wildlife, etc.
Active for 30 days
General use pesticide – no license required
Available at most home improvement/farm/hardware stores and can buy in bulk online
Always read directions and follow the label!

21. Floodwater Mosquitoes
#1 Nuisance calls
1-2 weeks after rain
Eggs drought resistant
Rain promotes hatching
Mass emergence
Large, aggressive
Multiple bites
NOT disease vectors
Floodwater mosquitoes do not transmit disease here in Texas, but can be a major nuisance.

22. Integrated Mosquito Management
Mosquito Management ≠ Mosquito Control
Surveillance and Testing
Surveillance done by Bell County Public Health District, sent to DSHS Austin for WNV/CHIKV testing
“Fight the Bite” education campaign
Work side by side with cities for control decisions
Guidance in emergency situations
Creation of Best Management Practices

23. Communities need to help in the fight against mosquitoes!
No cities in Bell County have active mosquito control
Bell County does arbovirus surveillance, NO mosquito control
Mosquito abatement is up to each city
All cities can practice mosquito prevention!
Responsibility of everyone, not just one department
Mosquito education is always free:
Take the opportunity to educate citizens
Educate city employees on mosquito calls (stagnant water to CE, clogged drainage ditch to PW, etc.)

24. Utilities/Public Works:
Parks and Recreation:
Ensure streams are running, free of debris
Check all playgrounds
Drill holes in tires
Observe low lying areas
Backfill if possible
Utilities/Public Works:
Monitor storm sewers and runoff
Encourage residents to keep yard waste out of drains
Informational utility mailers

25. Sanitation/ Recycling: Encourage proper yard waste disposal
Community clean-up days
Free tire drop offs
Neighborhood dump days
Transportation/Public Works:
Monitor drainage ditches
Clear debris and garbage

26. Code Enforcement: City Hall/Marketing: Educational Social Media Posts
Stagnant water enforcement
Sanitary yard enforcement
Collaborate with Bell County Public Health District’s Environmental Health Division (254) for areas outside of city

27. Resources www.bellcountyhealth.org TexasZika.org
Posters/Flyers for download (Eng/Sp)
FAQs
Zika information
Helpful links
Facebook/Twitter/Pinterest

28. QUESTIONS? Lacey Sanders lsanders@bellcountyhealth.org
QUESTIONS?