Harris County Publishes Online Dashboard for Mosquito-Borne Illness Tracking

Harris County Public Health (HCPH) has launched an online dashboard to inform residents about human cases of mosquito-borne diseases. As of October 16, 2023, the agency reported at least 192 positive mosquito samples identified throughout the county. This initiative is part of HCPH’s ongoing efforts to monitor, test, and control disease-carrying mosquito populations.

The newly introduced interactive dashboard, titled Mosquito Diseases, offers daily, real-time maps displaying areas where mosquito-borne diseases have been detected. Notably, this data does not cover potential cases within Houston itself, according to an official news release dated October 17. The presence of the West Nile virus has been specifically confirmed in the northern parts of Harris County, affecting areas such as Tomball, Spring, Humble, Cypress, Katy, and Kingwood.

Jennifer Kiger, director of the office of epidemiology, surveillance and emerging diseases at HCPH, emphasized the importance of the dashboard for community awareness. “While our current case numbers are low, it’s still important for everyone to protect themselves from mosquito bites—especially during the warmer months when mosquitoes are most active,” Kiger stated.

Preventative Measures for Residents

In light of the mosquito-borne illness activity, HCPH has shared several recommendations to help residents mitigate the risk of infection. These include:

– Regularly emptying standing water from containers around homes.
– Disposing of items that can collect rainwater or irrigation runoff.
– Using insect repellent when outdoors.
– Wearing protective clothing to minimize exposure to mosquito bites.

By following these guidelines, residents can actively participate in reducing the spread of diseases transmitted by mosquitoes. The launch of the dashboard reflects HCPH’s commitment to public health and community engagement, providing valuable resources for residents to stay informed and take necessary precautions.

As mosquito activity typically increases during warmer months, the information available on the dashboard will serve as a crucial tool for residents to monitor the presence of mosquito-borne diseases in their area.