West Nile virus in Dallas County reached epidemic
proportions last summer. The virus, which is transmitted to humans through
mosquitoes that bite infected birds, severely sickened more than 400 and killed
19. A study by the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA)
identified several factors behind the worst West Nile virus outbreak in Texas
history, and provides valuable information for preventing future outbreaks.
The winter of 2011 was unusually warm, and the spring of 2012
was unusually wet, reported JAMA. As a result, large numbers of
virus-carrying mosquitoes managed to survive through the winter and thrive
during the spring. Additionally, the economic downturn meant houses in affluent
neighborhoods remained unsold, and abandoned backyard swimming pools became
mosquito breeding grounds. By late June, 5 percent of the mosquitoes in
Dallas County carried West Nile virus, though no one knew it.
The JAMA report also cites the county’s delayed
response to controlling the mosquito population through aerial spraying as
another reason the virus was able to infect so many people. Had officials
reacted sooner to approve aerial spraying in early July instead of late July,
hundreds of severe infections and several deaths could have been prevented, the
study surmised.
Texas lawmakers passed a law this session that allows
local officials in Dallas to enter abandoned residential property to remove
stagnant water to prevent future outbreaks. The legislation, Senate Bill 186, was authored by Sen. John Carona (R-Dallas).
No comments :
Post a Comment