TARRANT COUNTY, TX
Public Health
Be Mosquito Free
Mosquitoes are ongoing threats
Tarrant County Public Health maintains a mosquito surveillance and mitigation program that involves taking samples of mosquitoes from all areas of Tarrant County, identifying and then testing these samples to determine if they carry any disease pathogens. When pathogens are found, locations are noted and the information is passed along to local leadership who will take appropriate measures.
Public Health also tries to educate the public as to what each individual can do to stop and otherwise control the breeding and proliferation of mosquitoes. Our objective is to help our residents Be Mosquito Free.
Specific North Texas mosquitoes that carry disease
Mosquitoes are among the insects that can transmit disease, and are sometimes referred to as vectors for disease transmission.
Imported cases of both Zika and Chikungunya could make local spread of both viruses possible because the Aedes mosquitoes that transmit those viruses are found in Texas. While the Culex mosquito that carries West Nile Virus is active and bites only from dusk to dawn, Aedes mosquitoes, which carry Zika and Chikungunya, are active and bite during the day – so it’s important for people to do what they can to eliminate mosquito breeding sites and to protect themselves against mosquito bites at all times.
Because symptoms of these viruses are similar, TCPH encourages physicians to consider Zika virus, Chikungunya and Dengue infection when examining patients who show acute onset of fever and joint pain - and patients who have recently visited areas where at least one of the viruses is present.
There is no way to predict what any mosquito-borne illness season will be like. Studies and research continually prove that the most effective, most practical, and least expensive means of preventing such illnesses is to keep mosquitoes from breeding where possible and that people keep themselves from being bitten by mosquitoes through the use of repellent and by wearing appropriate clothing when outdoors.
Eliminate Mosquito Breeding Sites
Treatments for Mosquitoes
Mosquitoes Love Water
Even the most unexpected places can become breeding grounds for mosquitoes and the illnesses they can carry. Tarrant County Public Health (TCPH) and County officials are asking for your help to protect our community. Do you part and help Tarrant County Be Mosquito Free:
· Dump standing water
· Keep vegetation trimmed
· Wear long sleeves and pants
These reports reflect TCPH efforts to track the incidence of Chikungunya Virus, Dengue Virus, St. Louis Encephalitis Virus, West Nile Virus and Zika Virus in Tarrant County.
Year-round Mosquito Surveillance
As a way to continuously monitor the mosquito population, TCPH has made Gravid mosquito traps available to all Tarrant County cities. Cities set the traps in strategic locations, collect samples of mosquitoes and deliver them to the TCPH laboratory or a contracted laboratory for testing --specifically for West Nile Virus positive pools. Collectively, more than 150 traps are now in use across the county. TCPH uses the same process in the County’s unincorporated areas. Test results are posted on the interactive map on this web page.
Once positive mosquito pools have been identified, it is up to the municipality where the pools are to decide whether to ground spray or take other measures.
There is no way to predict what any mosquito-borne illness season will be like. Studies and research continually prove that the most effective, most practical, and least expensive means of preventing such illnesses is to keep mosquitoes from breeding where possible and that people keep themselves from being bitten by mosquitoes through the use of repellent and by wearing appropriate clothing when outdoors.