Health & Fitness

Montgomery County Announces More West Nile Mosquitoes Found

Officials say 16 mosquito samples have tested positive for the West Nile Virus

THE WOODLANDS, TX -- You know it's summer time in the Bayou City when the heat is here, the mosquitoes start biting, and the threat of dreaded mosquito-borne viruses such as Zika and West Nile re-enter our vocabulary.

In fact, the summer hadn't officially arrived before residents in Montgomery County were alerted that mosquitoes found in The Woodlands had tested positive for West Nile.

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Officials announced on Wednesday that 12 additional samples tested positive for the disease, bringing the total to 16.

This means that it may be an especially high-risk year for West Nile Virus, and people need to take proactive steps to ensuring they and their families are protected.

Find out what's happening in The Woodlandsfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Officials urge residents to take precautions while outdoors and think WET:

  • Wear Repellent
  • Eliminate Standing Water
  • Treat Water You Can't Eliminate

Personal protective measures, such as wearing long, loose, light-colored clothing and applying insect repellent before going outdoors greatly reduces the risk of mosquito bites.

Treatment of affected areas by South County Mosquito Abatement is occurring and includes spraying all streets and county rights of way within that area twice in one week.

Residents can check the treatment activity map (http://www.precinct3.org/mosquito-abatement/) to learn if and when spraying will occur in their neighborhoods. Residents are advised to avoid outdoor activity during the scheduled treatment hours.

READ ALSO: West Nile Found In Mosquito Population In The Woodlands

Image: Shutterstock

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