Overview Harris County, TX Mosquito Control Program

West Nile Virus has now been in Harris County, TX for eleven seasons.  During this time, WNV has displayed high, moderate, and low activity levels in mosquito populations.  Activity levels of WNV in mosquito and avian populations were initially high from 2002-2006, decreased significantly in 2007-2008, moderately increased in mosquito populations in 2009-2011, with  a significant resurgence in 2012 in both mosquito and avian populations reflecting the earlier years (2002-2006) according to operational surveillance data.  Since the introduction of WNV in Harris County in 2002, the Harris County Public Health & Environmental Services Mosquito Control Division has implemented new strategies to monitor and control disease outbreaks.  Due to the epidemiology of WNV strategies have been enhanced and/or developed in order to assist in the decision making and implementation capacity of operational activities.  These strategies include: comprehensive countywide WNV surveillance of mosquito populations; avian surveillance; timely disease diagnostics; insecticide resistance management and surveillance; education; vehicle tracking and chemical usage monitoring of ground treatment operations; aerial control; educational outreach; Geographical Information Systems graphics and reporting; mosquito control operational area characterization; and applied research.  The implementation of these strategies has increased the efficiency of disease detection and the timely response of control and prevention efforts.  Also, collaboration with other organizations such as the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, Texas A&M University, the Texas  Department of State Health Services, and others has enhanced the program’s capacity.  Highlights of several of these strategies will be described in the presentation.