From Chron.com: First West Nile pool confirmed...

[Wilson]

Glad they finally found it :confused:. I do know of at least one case of WNV here in TW.

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/nb/woodlands/news/4906753.html
June 25, 2007, 4:39PM
First West Nile pool confirmed in South County
State officials say virus is now 'endemic' around area

By LAURA ISENSEE
Copyright 2007 Houston Chronicle


While authorities in Montgomery County have confirmed the first mosquito spot positive for West Nile virus, there have been no reports of any human cases so far.


Pat Buzbee, director of Montgomery County Environmental Health Services, said the positive pool was found in south Montgomery Country where the county has seen the majority of its West Nile cases in recent years.


Buzbee said the state health authorities told him that West Nile virus is now considered "endemic" in south Montgomery County.


"It'll show up every year from now on in the summertime," Buzbee said.


The local mosquito population could pick up after the recent heavy rains that fell Tuesday, Buzbee said.


He said the rains flush out the storm sewers, where mosquitoes often breed. But after the rain, standing water provides mosquitoes with new breeding sites, he said.


"We're hoping people will be diligent about their property, draining the standing water in the property," Buzbee said.


To protect themselves from West Nile, county and local environmental authorities say residents should wear repellent, especially at dawn and dusk.


People should eliminate any standing water and treat any water they cannot eliminate, according to the Community Associations of The Woodlands.


West Nile is found in birds, which are bitten by mosquitoes. The infected mosquito then transmits the virus to its next victim, animal or human.


Last year in Montgomery County, there were 10 reported cases of human West Nile virus and one fatality, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services.

[Wilson]

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/nb/woodlands/news/4945079.html

July 5, 2007, 8:54AM
More West Nile locations found in South County
Woodlands starts project with Scouts to help eliminate breeding sites for mosquitoes in area

By LAURA ISENSEE
Copyright 2007 Houston Chronicle



Local authorities have found mosquitoes with West Nile virus at least three more locations in South Montgomery County, bringing the season's total confirmed locations to four so far.
"It's pretty much here," said Lynne Aldrich, manager of environmental services for the Community Associations of The Woodlands.


Together Aldrich's team and the mosquito abatement program with Montgomery County Precinct 3 have detected four areas where mosquitoes are carrying West Nile virus.


The recent heavy rains could help spawn a new crop of mosquitoes, but efforts by residents can minimize that, authorities said.


Rain creates more standing water, which gives mosquitoes a place to breed.


"It takes a week to 10 days after the rain for the spike (in mosquito population to occur," said Becky Cottingham, director of the mosquito abatement program for Montgomery County Precinct 3.


If people eliminate standing water on their property and treat any water that they can't eliminate, that would help reduce the population, Cottingham said.


That's what mosquito abatement authorities advise residents to do on a weekly basis.
"I think the message is everybody needs to take precaution," Aldrich said.


A certain type of mosquito generally acquires the virus from infected birds. They can then transmit the virus to humans with a blood-sucking bite. A mild form of the virus can cause flu-like symptoms; a more serious form affects the neurological system and can be fatal.


Last year in Montgomery County there were 10 human cases of West Nile, including one confirmed West Nile death, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services.


"If you're going to be out when (mosquitoes) are active, you need to cover up and put on repellent. That's just the personal responsibility that everybody has to take," Aldrich said.

More funding

Since the Montgomery County Precinct 3 mosquito abatement program received its expected state grant for $89,250 last month, efforts to trap and track more mosquitoes infected with the virus have ramped up.

The grant supported both new equipment and additional staff: two interns and a program coordinator.


The 36 new traps allow the authorities to cover more ground while the new global positioning system and digital cameras lets them mark and photograph the locations, Cottingham said.
Other new tools are a device that lets the county target mosquitoes into storm drains and a back-pack spray unit equipped to treat both adult mosquitoes and larvae.


"It's very useful in the areas that we can't get the truck into," Cottingham said.

Tracking sites

To better track the mosquito population, weekly permanent trapping sites are part of the expanded mosquito abatement efforts in South Montgomery County this year.

So far, there have been five permanent trapping sites established in these neighborhoods in The Woodlands: Grogan's Mill, Panther Creek, Cochran's Crossing, Alden Bridge and Indian Springs. There are also three permanent sites in other parts of South County.


For those weekly trapping sites, they try to set up at places where West Nile has been detected in the past, Aldrich said.


Aldrich plans to have one set up in every village and Cottingham hopes to establish more in South County.


They also will try to trap before and after a spraying and do premise surveys where there are threshold mosquito numbers, Aldrich said.


The weather, however, has not fully cooperated; rain can prevent spraying and trapping. Officials ontinue to respond to residents' requests for traps and information sessions.

Grassroots efforts

The Woodlands environmental services has teamed up with a local Girl Scout and Boy Scout for a new pilot program to reduce mosquito populations in neighborhoods.

They have placed mosquito dunks in the culverts underneath residential driveways in three neighborhoods, one a piece, Aldrich said.


The neighborhoods range from about 140 homes to more than 200 homes and include areas in Grogan's Mill and Panther Creek, she said.


Residents in the neighborhoods are asked to check the mosquito dunk at least once a month.
"We'll get some interesting feedback," Aldrich said.

Extra spraying

In addition, Precinct 3 will spray at locations where West Nile is confirmed and for the first time in places where there is a threshold population of the type of mosquito that can carry the disease. Before they sprayed only at confirmed West Nile locations.

The precinct does not do routine street spraying; it practices a targeted mosquito management program to reduce breeding sites, educate the public and focus spraying where it's needed.


Other Montgomery County precincts and the city of Conroe conduct traditional spraying to control mosquitoes.

[LarkinJoanna]

Where is precinct 3?

[Wilson]

Apparently all of The Woodlands, with some additional outlying areas. I found this:
http://www.thewoodlandsmonitor.com/modules/news/article.php?storyid=50

Actually, that may be referring to just the Constable's Precinct 3? Do they all have different precincts? I still don't understand the difference between the Sheriff's dept and the Constable!

[FamilyGal]

We are pretty diligent about standing water in our yard. I am going out today since there seems to be some sun for awhile and make sure anything that could catch water is upturned. We drilled holes in the bottom of our trash cans to drain water as well.

Mosquitoes are bad enough without giving them more places to breed! Then, the lawnmower will be running. :)

We actually had someone from the county come to our house last year (walking door to door). She checked everywhere in our yard to give us suggestions for standing water and she was handing out free tablets that kill mosquitoes, but don't harm other animals. We still have several of those tablets left.