Texas cities spray for mosquitoes after West Nile Virus detection

As summer temperatures rise in Texas, local health departments remain vigilant against the West Nile Virus (WNV).

Because the virus is endemic to the region, cities employ 'Integrated Mosquito Management' plans to protect public health.

Surveillance teams monitor traps from April through November, and a positive detection often triggers an immediate shift from 'Alert' to 'Action.'

When risk levels spike, cities deploy trucks overnight to perform ground spraying, which uses insecticides to target adult mosquitoes.

Residents play a critical role by following the 'Four Ds': avoiding outdoor activity from Dusk to Dawn, wearing long sleeves and pants, using DEET-based repellents, and draining standing water near their homes.

Since there is currently no vaccine for WNV, these combined efforts are essential to reducing the risk of severe illness.