Latest news with #MarcelElizondo
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Why Mosquitoes Are Getting More Dangerous—And What You Can Do About It
Texas officials are warning residents to brace themselves—not for hurricanes or heatwaves, but for something far smaller and deadlier: mosquitoes. Thanks to recent storms and rising global temperatures, health officials say mosquito season is arriving early, lasting longer, and becoming far more dangerous, according to the Austin American-Statesman. Experts are sounding the alarm as conditions across the South, from Texas to Florida, create a perfect breeding ground for the so-called deadliest animal on the planet. 'Mosquito seasons are running longer than before,' said Marcel Elizondo, head of Austin's Environmental Health Services division. 'We're seeing more standing water, more heat, and more ideal conditions for mosquito reproduction.' That's bad news when you consider what mosquitoes actually bring with them. According to the American Mosquito Control Association, mosquitoes kill over 1 million people a year worldwide, not directly, but by spreading devastating diseases like malaria, dengue, Zika, and West Nile. Malaria alone is responsible for more than 600,000 preventable deaths annually, and U.S. cases of West Nile and Zika are climbing in southern states. "Mosquitoes are the deadliest animals on the planet," Bethany Bolling, who leads virus testing for the Texas Department of State Health Services, told KAXN. Climate change is supercharging the threat. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, warmer temperatures speed up mosquito lifecycles, increase biting rates, and accelerate the disease incubation process inside the insect. Add in flooding and standing water from spring storms, and you've got a perfect storm. What can you do? Public health officials recommend draining standing water from gutters, buckets, and flower pots, fixing leaks, and treating ponds with mosquito dunks. If you're hiking or camping, DEET-based repellents and full-coverage clothing are your best bet. This isn't just about comfort. It's about stopping a silent killer from getting louder and protecting your health while enjoying the Mosquitoes Are Getting More Dangerous—And What You Can Do About It first appeared on Men's Journal on Jun 5, 2025
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Health officials sound alarm as 'deadliest animal on the planet' spreads across southern US — here's what you need to know
Officials in Texas have sounded the alarm after recent storms left prime breeding conditions just in time for peak mosquito season, the Austin American-Statesman reported. Local experts are particularly concerned about the spread of mosquito-borne diseases like West Nile and Zika. Already facing an uphill battle as rising global temperatures expand peak mosquito season beyond its traditional dates, Texas officials in charge of managing mosquito populations now must combat high levels of standing water and hot, humid conditions perfect for mosquito reproduction, per the American-Statesman. "We've seen the weather changing over the years here in Austin, and as a result, we've seen mosquito seasons running longer than before," Marcel Elizondo, chief of Austin's Environmental Health Services division, said in a statement. Mosquitoes are an annoyance for some; for others, they can be deadly. According to the American Mosquito Control Association, over 1 million people around the world die every single year from mosquito-borne diseases. "Mosquitos are the deadliest animals on the planet," Bethany Bolling, who oversees mosquito virus testing at the Texas Department of State Health Services, told KXAN. Mosquitoes transmit disease through their bites, spreading deadly illnesses like malaria and dengue in addition to West Nile and Zika, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Malaria alone is responsible for over 600,000 preventable deaths annually. Mosquitoes are a prime example of the negative impacts that rising global temperatures have on human health. In addition to hotter temperatures, changes in weather patterns are causing increased rainfall in certain areas, creating the perfect breeding grounds for mosquitoes, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Rising temperatures can influence the way mosquitoes spread disease in other ways, too. "Studies show that warmer temperatures associated with climate change can accelerate mosquito development, biting rates, and the incubation of the disease within a mosquito," according to the EPA. Do you worry about getting diseases from bug bites? Absolutely Only when I'm camping or hiking Not really Never Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. While public health officials monitor mosquito populations and test breeding grounds for diseases like West Nile, there are several things that you can do to help protect yourself and your family. First, try to eliminate all standing water, as that is the primary breeding ground for mosquitoes. This includes places like clogged gutters, plant saucers, buckets, and toys, according to Austin Public Health. If you have bird baths or other outdoor water for animals, make sure to change it at least once a week to prevent mosquitoes from developing. Next, make sure to repair all leaky faucets and pipes, as these can provide sources of the moisture mosquitoes need to reproduce. Similarly, if you have a rainwater cistern, make sure it is properly sealed to prevent mosquitoes from entering. Finally, if you have permanent standing water on your property, such as a pond, you can purchase a mosquito dunk, which contains a biological larvicide that will kill young mosquitoes, per Austin Public Health. Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the latest innovations improving our lives and shaping our future, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Austin Public Health expects active mosquito season
Austin Public Health is expecting an active mosquito season and that means mosquito-borne illnesses such as West Nile. Last week, Austin Public Health reminded the public that May is the beginning of its mosquito surveillance and testing program, which continues through November. Austin had a particularly active West Nile season last year with 101 pools that tested positive for mosquitoes with the disease. Preliminary data also point to 33 people becoming infected and two deaths in Travis County in 2024 from West Nile. When the weather is warmer and wetter, mosquitoes are actively breeding in and around Austin. 'We've seen the weather changing over the years here in Austin, and as a result, we've seen mosquito seasons running longer than before,' said Environmental Health Services Division Chief Marcel Elizondo. 'We're also continuing to see West Nile in the pool samples we test. It's crucial that we take this seriously and protect ourselves whenever we're spending time outdoors.' West Nile isn't the only mosquito-borne illness to worry about. Dengue fever was not something people in the continental United States had to worry about until recently. Last year, Florida had 83 cases, California had 18 and Texas had two that were not acquired from travel but from a bite by a local mosquito. The best way to prevent West Nile and dengue fever is through mosquito-bite prevention. 'While everyone is excited to get back to their favorite spring and summer activities, let's make sure that we're taking quick steps to protect ourselves and fully enjoy this time of year,' said Austin-Travis County Health Authority Dr. Desmar Walkes. 'Wearing long sleeves and pants, putting on repellent and clearing out standing water will protect yourself and others from mosquitoes and the diseases they carry.' Austin Public Health employees decry federal spending cuts, urge city to make up loss Dusk and dawn: The species that spread West Nile Virus are most active between dusk and dawn. Pay particular attention to mosquito prevention during these times or avoid going outside. Dress: Wear pants and long sleeves when you are outside. Wear light-colored, loose-fitting clothing; mosquito-repellent clothing is also available. DEET: Apply insect repellent that contains DEET for the best protection. Spray both exposed skin and clothing with repellent. Find the Environmental Protection Agency's list of repellents . Drain: Remove standing water in your yard and neighborhood because mosquitoes like to breed in standing water. Look for water in these places: Tires Pet water bowls Containers and buckets Planters Toys Birdbaths Flowerpot saucers Trash containers Rain barrels Kiddie pools You also can make your yard less of a mosquito party by taking these steps: Regularly clean out anything that needs to have water, such as a bird bath. Use mosquito dunks or mosquito fish in ponds to eat the mosquito larvae. Make sure rain barrels are covered. Move potted plants indoors. Create drains in planter boxes to avoid standing water lurking there. Look for drainage problems in your yard and fix them with a French drain. Plant lemon balm, mint, chrysanthemums, marigolds, basil, garlic, eucalyptus, lavender, rosemary and lemongrass around your yard. Or use oils and candles with those scents to discourage mosquitoes. Scatter coffee grounds in the soil wherever there have been drainage problems. They deprive the eggs in the soil of oxygen. Install lights around the yard that mosquitoes don't like, such as LED lights, yellow bug lights or sodium lamps. Use a fan or fans on the patio to discourage mosquitoes from flocking there. Hire a professional service to treat your yard. Make sure they know whether you have pets or kids crawling around in the yard. Federal funding cuts hurt Austin Public Health's ability to fight outbreaks, director says About 80% of people who contract West Nile virus have no symptoms. Their cases typically aren't recorded because they don't know they have it. Most people who do develop symptoms have fever, headache, joint pain, body aches, vomiting, diarrhea or rash. A blood test or a spinal fluid sample can confirm the cause. About 1 in 150 people with West Nile virus get the severe illness, which affects their central nervous system. They could develop inflammation of the brain or membranes surrounding the brain or spinal cord. Those people have symptoms such as a severe headache, stiff neck, tremors, convulsions, coma, muscle weakness, vision loss, numbness or paralysis. People who are 60 or older at most risk for severe illness as well as people who have underlying medical conditions such as cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure, kidney disease or have had an organ transplant. People with a severe case of the illness can take weeks or months to recover, and there can be permanent damage to their central nervous system. About 10% of the people who have a West Nile virus case that affects their central nervous system die. There is no vaccine for West Nile virus. Most people can use over-the-counter medications. In severe cases, hospitalization to help with fluids and managing pain is needed. Only 1 in 4 people infected with dengue fever will get sick. Symptoms include: Aches and pains, including behind the eyes, muscle, joint or bone pain Nausea or vomiting Rash Most people with symptoms have symptoms that last two to seven days and will recover within a week. Severe dengue fever can be life-threatening. Anyone with belly pain or tenderness, bleeding from the nose or gums, vomiting blood or blood in the stool, continued vomiting, or feeling tired or restless should seek medical attention. This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Austin expects active mosquito season
