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Monday, July 11, 2016
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West Nile Virus and Zika Virus Situation Report important to identify the mosquito genus and species known to transmit, or possibly transmit, the Zika virus, and track their location throughout the county. Such identification efforts will assist the GCHD with future Zika response efforts, if necessary. To date, The Grayson County Health GCHD has reported one human case Department’s Environmental of travel-associated Zika virus, Health Division has received and meaning that the individual had complied laboratory results for traveled to a country where there mosquito traps set from April 6, 2016 through June 24, 2016. The was ongoing transmission of Zika, Texas A & M Veterinary Medical and subsequently returned to the Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) United States and became reports indicated the presence of the symptomatic. No additional human West Nile Virus (WNV) in two of cases have been officially reported to GCHD. the eleven mosquito pools submitted for analysis from mosquito traps set on June 24, 2016 GCHD continues to maintain a link on their Grayson County website (a pool is one net of mosquitoes http://www.co.grayson.tx.us/ collected from a single address). default.aspx?name=hlth.home for These are the first two WNV positive mosquito pools for the 2016 surveillance period, which began in early April of this year. One positive pool was identified from a trap that was set at Gunter City Hall in Gunter, Texas on June 24, 2016, and the second was from a trap that was set on Elm Street in Whitesboro, Texas on June 24, 2016. The Environmental Health Division (EH) has reached out to city officials to provide them with further guidance and identify additional trap locations. As a result of the notification, Whitesboro city officials notified the Grayson County Health Department (GCHD) that they would be spraying for mosquitoes (adulticiding) last Tuesday, weather permitting. WNV is spread primarily through the bite of an infected Culex mosquito. Culex mosquitoes become infected when they feed on infected birds. GCHD has not received any official reports concerning any human cases of WVN for 2016. At this time, GCHD is not testing mosquito pools for the Zika virus. Zika virus is spread primarily through the bite of an infected Aedes aegypti mosquito, and possibly the Aedes albopictus mosquito. The mosquitoes become infected when they feed on a person already infected with the virus and can then spread the virus to others through bites. Therefore, it is recommend to test symptomatic humans, not mosquito pools, for Zika virus. However, it is
protect against mosquito bites the public to obtain additional follow the four D’s: Drain – drain information regarding the Zika standing water; Dress – wear long virus. In addition, GCHD has a hotline 903-465-2878 Ext. 236 and sleeves and pants; DEET – apply insect repellent containing DEET an email address mosquito@co.grayson.tx.us for the (follow directions for use); Daily – all day every day fight the bite. public to send in their mosquito For additional information, related questions or concerns. GCHD will continue its efforts to including the most common signs and symptoms associated with each educate the public, city officials, illness, please visit public works divisions, and code enforcement personnel on how to www.texaszika.org. protect themselves and their residents from mosquito-borne illnesses such as Zika and West Nile Virus. Educational door hangers and flyers, as well as samples of mosquito larvicides, have been distributed to cities throughout Grayson County. The Grayson County Health Department’s Environmental Health Division will continue to perform mosquito trapping and species identification activities over the next several months. GCHD team members will also continue to reach out to local hospitals and healthcare providers to help identify potential human cases of Zika or WNV. GCHD encourages individuals throughout Grayson County to be proactive and take the necessary precautions to protect themselves, their family members, and neighbors against mosquito-borne illnesses (WNV and Zika). To help
