HomeMy WebLinkAboutIR 25-0062INFORMAL RESPONSE TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
No. 25-0062
To the Mayor and Members of the City Council
June 3, 2025
Page 1 of 4
SUBJECT: 2025 MOSQUITO SURVEILLANCE PROGRAM AND
WEST NILE VIRUS CONTROL RESPONSE UPDATE
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.
Mosquito Surveillance Proaram Overview
The Environmental Services Department oversees an annual mosquito surveillance program from
May 1 to October 31, in partnership with Tarrant County Public Health (TCPH) and the Texas
Department of State Health Services (DSHS). Each week, samples are collected from 53
locations across Fort Worth, at fire stations, parks, and community centers as shown in Figure 1
below. These samples are analyzed for the presence of West Nile Virus. As of May 15, 2025, the
City of Fort Worth has received one (1) WNV positive trap result. Fiscal year 2024 mosquito
surveillance program expenses were $168,219.20. Fiscal year 2025 mosquito surveillance
program expenses are budgeted at $175,000.
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS
INFORMAL RESPONSE TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
No. 25-0062
To the Mayor and Members of the City Council
June 3, 2025
Page 2 of 4
SUBJECT: 2025 MOSQUITO SURVEILLANCE PROGRAM AND
WEST NILE VIRUS CONTROL RESPONSE UPDATE
Figure 1: Mosquito Trap Locations in Fort Worth (2025)
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93 9 / ` • Mosquito Trap Sites
• 11f • • 2 - Carlos Flores
• 3 - Michael D. Crain
• ! 4 - Charles LauerOorf
Lrr r ! 5 - Deborah Peoples
8
* 6 - Jared Williams
6 7 - Macy Hill
0 8 - Chris Nettles
9 - Elizabeth M. Beck
10 - Alan Blaylock
11 - Jeanette Martinez
Figure 1 displays 53 monitoring locations for mosquitoes in 2025.
WNV Evidence -Based Control Response
The City partners with TCPH and DSHS for the testing portion of its mosquito control surveillance
program. The results provided by this collaboration provide data to guide decisions on targeted
actions to reduce WNV risk. The City's response plan, outlined in five phases based on illness
risk include public education, larviciding, and targeted spraying in areas with positive WNV
results. Figure 2 shows the City's five phase response plan.
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS
INFORMAL RESPONSE TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
No. 25-0062
To the Mayor and Members of the City Council
June 3, 2025
Page 3 of 4
SUBJECT: 2025 MOSQUITO SURVEILLANCE PROGRAM AND
WEST NILE VIRUS CONTROL RESPONSE UPDATE
Figure 2: Phased Response to West Nile Virus in Fort Worth
WNV Outbreak in Progress
+ WNV Virus Mosquito Pools & Related Human Cases 0
Isolated + WNV Mosquito Pools 0 Education
Start of Season
0
Off season
Education
Outreach
Planning
Surveillance
Education
Larvicide
Outreach
0 Education Outreach
Education Outreach Surveillance
Outreach Surveillance Larvicide
Surveillance Larvicide Targeted Ground
Larvicide Targeted Spray*
Ground IF aerial spraying
Targeted Spray* is recommended
Spray - y by TCPH consider
Option as option
*Consider other Epi factors before any spraying measure
Figure 2 displays the five phases of planned response to West Nile Virus in Fort Worth.
Targeted Ground Spravinq Factors
Ground spraying is used to temporarily reduce mosquito populations. The decision to spray 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 of the positive trap site surrounding area
• Vector index (a measure of illness risk)
• Weather conditions
Additionally, if the City receives a report of a human WNV case, staff conduct an environmental
investigation in the surrounding area and evaluate results from additional mosquito traps set
nearby.
As a reminder, please protect yourself, your family, and the community:
• Check for and dump standing water from outdoor containers (pools, toys, planters,
birdbaths, trash cans).
• Keep landscaping trimmed and routinely clean gutters.
• Ensure all window and door screens are in place and in good repair.
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS
INFORMAL RESPONSE TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
No. 25-0062
To the Mayor and Members of the City Council
June 3, 2025
Page 4 of 4
SUBJECT: 2025 MOSQUITO SURVEILLANCE PROGRAM AND
WEST NILE VIRUS CONTROL RESPONSE UPDATE
• Dress in long pants and sleeves to protect yourself from bites.
• Avoid outdoor activities at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active.
• Apply insect repellent with DEET, Picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or another EPA -
approved ingredient when outdoors.
For additional information related to WNV, visit: www.fortworthtexas.gov/mosquitoes or
httos://www.cdc.gov/west-nile-virus.
For questions regarding this information, please contact Wyndie Turpen, Environmental Services
Assistant Director at 817-392-6982.
Jesus "Jay" Chapa
City Manager
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS