HomeMy WebLinkAboutIR 24-1875INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 24-1875 1
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1875
To the Mayor and Members of the City Council
August 6, 2024
Page 1 of 4
SUBJECT: UPDATE ON 2024 MOSQUITO SURVEILLANCE PROGRAM AND
WEST NILE VIRUS CONTROL RESPONSE
The purpose of this Informal Report is to provide an update on the City's mosquito surveillance
program and response to West Nile virus (WNV) activity.
Current West Nile Virus Activity
The Environmental Services Department oversees a mosquito surveillance program each year
with mosquito trap samples collected between May 1 — October 31, in conjunction with partners
and Tarrant County Public Health (TCPH). Each week during this period, staff or contractors
collect samples from 53 locations within the City of Fort Worth. These mosquito samples are
analyzed by a laboratory for the presence of WNV. Samples are collected from traps that are
placed throughout the City at locations such as fire stations, parks, community centers, and public
greenspaces. Figure 1 shows placement of mosquito traps for monitoring.
Fiaure 1: Mosauito Traas in Fort Worth (2024
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Figure displays 53 monitoring locations for mosquitoes in 2024.
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER
FORT WORTH, TEXAS
INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
No. 24-1875
pATEpt.
pa
`o s
r rn
1875
To the Mayor and Members of the City Council
August 6, 2024
Page 2 of 4
SUBJECT: UPDATE ON 2024 MOSQUITO SURVEILLANCE PROGRAM AND
WEST NILE VIRUS CONTROL RESPONSE
According to data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Texas has
more human cases of West Nile Virus than any other state in the country, this year, as of August
1, 2024; this is attributed to increased mosquito activity resulting from higher than normal summer
rainfall. Increased prevalence of WNV in mosquitoes has also increased in other regions. As of
August 1, 2024, there has been 105 positive WNV results for mosquito traps within the City's
network of monitoring locations during the FY24 surveillance period. The number of local, positive
trap test results are higher than in recent years, as shown in Figure 2, below. To date, TCPH has
also reported three (3) human WNV illnesses within the City of Fort Worth. While the number of
positive test results is high, and the number of reported human WNV cases remains low.
Figure 2: Number of Fort Worth Mosquito Samples Testing Positive for WNV by Yeai
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Graph displays the number of mosquito samples which have tested positive for West Nile Virus in recent
years during the sampling period of May 1 — October 31 of the respective year. Note: (*2024) values only
display data collected from May 1 — August 1, 2024.
Each year, the City of Fort Worth works to remind individuals of steps to reduce mosquitoes and
protective measures. When a positive test result is reported for a trap location, City staff work to
increase education and outreach. Warning signs are posted in affected areas to remind residents
to protect themselves from mosquitoes which helps to avoid the threat of WNV. Warning letters
with respective maps are sent through City communications channels to include homeowners'
associations and neighborhood groups in affected areas. As of August 1, the City has also
conducted 15 targeted ground spray events to reduce the number of mosquitoes that may carry
WNV. The need for targeted ground spraying is expected to continue throughout this year's
mosquito season.
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS
INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
No. 24-1875
pATEpt.
pa
`o s
r rn
1875
To the Mayor and Members of the City Council
August 6, 2024
Page 3 of 4
SUBJECT: UPDATE ON 2024 MOSQUITO SURVEILLANCE PROGRAM AND
WEST NILE VIRUS CONTROL RESPONSE
Mosquito WNV Surveillance & Evidence -Based Response Activities
Since 2013, the City has operated its mosquito (vector) control surveillance program in
partnership with Dr. Joonhak Lee, Medical Entomologist and Managing Member of DFW
Environmental Health Service, LLC, and Tarrant County Public Health. This partnership is used to
obtain data which assist in decision -making to deploy targeted responses to reduce the risk of
WNV exposure to residents. Weekly mosquito surveillance and evidence -based response have
been implemented since the inception of this partnership. The City has a response plan that is
divided into five phases, based on the risk of illness, as shown in Figure 3. Appropriate actions
combine public education, larviciding, and targeted ground spray activities in neighborhoods
where mosquito surveillance tests have produced multiple positive WNV results.
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WNV Outbreak in Progress
+ WNV Virus Mosquito Pools & Related Human
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Figure displays the five phase of planned response to West Nile Virus in Fort Worth.
Education efforts focus on reducing risk of mosquito -borne disease by eliminating mosquito
breeding sites near homes and in neighborhoods while emphasizing the use of personal
protection to prevent mosquito bites (such as using effective insect repellants).
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER
FORT WORTH, TEXAS
INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
No. 24-1875
pATEpt.
pa
`o s
r rn
1875
To the Mayor and Members of the City Council
August 6, 2024
Page 4 of 4
SUBJECT: UPDATE ON 2024 MOSQUITO SURVEILLANCE PROGRAM AND
WEST NILE VIRUS CONTROL RESPONSE
Targeted Ground Spraying Factors
Ground spraying is one tool that can be used to reduce mosquito populations for a short time.
Following weekly sampling results, the decision to conduct targeted ground spraying is based on
an analysis of several factors, including:
• Number of consecutive positive test results (at any one site)
• Number of mosquitoes caught in each trap
• Environmental investigation results of the surrounding area (mosquito breeding sites)
• Vector index (a measure of illness risk)
• Weather conditions
Additionally, if the City receives a report of a human WNV illness, staff conducts an environmental
investigation within the approximate residential area surrounding the human case. Results from
additional mosquito traps set in the same area are also evaluated.
As reminders to help protect yourself, your family and the community, remember:
• Dump standing water in and around your home by emptying and scrubbing all outdoor
containers such as pools, toys, planters, birdbaths and trash containers.
• Tightly cover water storage containers such as buckets, cisterns and rain barrels so that
mosquitoes cannot get inside to lay eggs. Clean out gutters to avoid standing water.
Examine gutters for damage that would cause water to collect.
• Inspect your yard after every rainfall and empty any containers or areas where water has
collected. Also watch for puddles where condensation gathers from the AC unit.
• Use screens on windows and doors and repair holes in the screens.
• Apply insect repellent anytime you're outside. Use insect repellent with one of these active
ingredients: DEET, Picaridin or oil of lemon/eucalyptus or other EPA -approved repellent.
For additional information related to WNV, visit: www.fortworthtexas.gov/mosquitoes or
https://www.cdc.gov/west-nile-virus.
For questions regarding information in this report, please contact Interim Assistant Environmental
Services Director, Wyndie Turpen, at (817) 392-6982.
David Cooke
City Manager
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER
FORT WORTH, TEXAS