MIDLAND, Texas — On Aug. 29, the first human case of West Nile Virus (WNV) in Midland County was reported. The following days, areas across the Permian Basin experienced heavy rainfall that left behind standing water in numerous places.
"That's when it becomes highly attractive to Culex mosquitoes, which are the species that transmit West Nile Virus, and they start to lay their eggs, and their numbers build tremendously in that standing water," said Daniel Markowski, the technical advisor with the American Mosquito Control Association.
This year's human case of West Nile Virus in Midland is the first reported case since 2021, according to Midland Health Services.
"There's always West Nile Virus somewhere in the US, but locally it cycles," Markowski said. "It takes a pretty unique combination of mosquito species and bird species, weather is very much involved as well and when that all comes together that's when you start to see human cases. So it doesn't happen every year, it doesn't happen all the time, but it tends to cycle."
Currently, Texas is reporting the most human cases of WNV than any other state in the country with 46 cases, according to the CDC.
Symptoms of WNV may include:
- Headache
- Fever
- Muscle and joint aches
- Nausea
- Fatigue
According to Markowski, it doesn't take much standing water for Culex mosquitoes to breed in.
"Think of a a child's seat on such as on a tricycle that would collect water after a heavy rainfall. That's enough water to breed mosquitoes," Markowski said. "Bird baths, small amounts in rain gutters, just about anything. If it's got even less than an inch of water in it, you can breed mosquitoes in it."
The best ways to reduce the risk of mosquito bites:
- Wearing an EPA registered insect repellant.
- Covering up with long-sleeves and pants.
- Keeping mosquitoes out of living areas by using air conditioning or intact window screens.
- Limiting outdoor activities during peak mosquito times (sunrise and sunset).
- Dumping standing water around your home.
"I think the most important thing is to realize that mosquitoes are out this time of year, that they may be infected with West Nile Virus or some other disease and I think that's that's always a concern. But I think that you shouldn't let that keep you from doing outdoor activities," Markowski said. "Don't be afraid, wear bug repellant, take some of the personal precautions, remove standing water."