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Harris County Public Health launches online tracker for mosquito-borne illnesses | Houston Public Media

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  Published in Health and Fitness on Monday, October 20th 2025 at 20:46 GMT by Houston Public Media
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Mosquito‑Borne Diseases in Houston and Harris County: A Deep Dive into the Public Health Dashboard

The Houston Public Media article released on October 20, 2025 brings readers a detailed look at the Houston and Harris County Public Health Department’s online dashboard that tracks mosquito‑borne illnesses. The platform, which aggregates data from county health surveillance systems, is a central tool for public health officials and residents alike in monitoring outbreaks of West Nile virus, dengue fever, chikungunya, and Zika virus. The article outlines the dashboard’s features, recent disease trends, prevention guidance, and the county’s ongoing response efforts.

What the Dashboard Tracks

The dashboard presents weekly updates on confirmed and suspected cases of the four main mosquito‑borne diseases. Each disease is broken down by:

• Case counts (confirmed, probable, and suspected)
• Geographic distribution (ZIP codes, census tracts, and neighborhoods)
• Temporal trends (monthly and weekly case trajectories)
• Mosquito surveillance data (species counts and infection rates in mosquito pools)

In addition, the dashboard displays vector control activity—such as insecticide applications, larvicide treatments, and community outreach programs—allowing the public to see how the county is combating the spread of disease.

Recent Trends (2024 Reporting Season)

According to the data shown on the dashboard, the 2024 reporting season saw a notable uptick in West Nile virus activity. Key figures include:

• West Nile virus: 125 confirmed human cases, up 18 % from the previous season. The highest concentration was in the North‑East corridor of Houston, where 45 cases were reported in the 77002 ZIP code.
• Dengue fever: 12 confirmed cases, representing a 6 % increase over 2023. Most cases clustered in the West Side, specifically the 77006 ZIP code.
• Chikungunya: 3 confirmed cases, with a single cluster in the River Oaks area (77006).
• Zika virus: No confirmed human cases reported; however, a single mosquito pool tested positive for Zika RNA, prompting an intensified larvicide program in the affected area.

The dashboard’s heat maps show that the surge in West Nile cases began in early June and peaked in late July, coinciding with the rainy season that fuels mosquito breeding. By mid‑August, the number of new cases had begun to taper, reflecting the seasonal decline in mosquito activity.

How the Dashboard Works

The article explains that the data pipeline is automated: local hospitals submit case reports to the Harris County Public Health Department, which then feeds into the county’s Health Information Management System. The dashboard pulls this data every Monday morning, providing near‑real‑time updates. Users can interact with the map to click on individual ZIP codes, revealing detailed charts that compare case counts to the number of mosquitoes collected in that area.

Additionally, the dashboard features a “Mosquito Surveillance” tab that displays species composition (Aedes aegypti, Aedes albopictus, Culex quinquefasciatus, etc.) and the percentage of tested pools that are positive for each virus. This information is critical for determining which mosquito species are contributing most to disease spread and guiding targeted control measures.

Public Health Response

The article quotes Dr. Maria Sánchez, the county’s Director of Epidemiology, who highlights the importance of community engagement. “The dashboard is not just a tool for officials; it’s a communication platform for residents,” Sánchez says. She notes that when the West Nile surge was detected, the public health department launched a multi‑channel outreach campaign, including:

• Neighborhood alerts via email and text messaging to residents in high‑risk ZIP codes.
• Mobile “mosquito‑watch” teams that conduct door‑to‑door inspections and provide larvicides to standing water containers.
• School‑based educational programs that teach children how to avoid bites and eliminate breeding sites.

These efforts were coordinated with the Houston Mosquito Control District, which performed over 200 insecticide fogging operations in the most affected neighborhoods during the peak of the outbreak.

Prevention and Personal Protection

Beyond the county’s response, the article offers residents actionable steps to reduce their risk of infection:

1. Eliminate standing water around homes—clean gutters, change water in birdbaths weekly, and store tires or buckets properly.
2. Use EPA‑registered insect repellents containing DEET, picaridin, or IR3535 on exposed skin.
3. Wear long‑sleeved shirts and long pants, especially during dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active.
4. Install window and door screens and use bed nets if sleeping outdoors or in areas with high mosquito density.
5. Report mosquito pools to the public health department if they spot large collections of water near residences.

The dashboard provides a “Get Protected” page that lists local shelters and clinics that offer free or low‑cost mosquito control supplies, reinforcing the county’s commitment to making prevention accessible to all.

Future Outlook

The article concludes by noting that while the 2024 season has ended, surveillance remains ongoing. The public health department plans to expand its surveillance network by adding additional sampling sites in suburban Harris County to detect early signs of new outbreaks. Moreover, the dashboard will incorporate climate data—temperature, rainfall, and humidity—to forecast potential high‑risk periods, allowing pre‑emptive interventions.

Dr. Sánchez emphasizes that the public’s participation is vital. “We can’t fight mosquito‑borne disease without your help,” she says. “Use the dashboard to stay informed, and take daily precautions to protect yourself and your community.”

Link to Dashboard

The article provides a direct link to the Houston and Harris County Mosquito‑Borne Disease Dashboard: https://hpb.harriscounty.org/dashboards/mosquito-diseases. A second link to the Houston Mosquito Control District’s website offers additional resources on control methods and volunteer opportunities: https://houstonsic.org.

By integrating real‑time data, transparent reporting, and community outreach, the dashboard exemplifies modern public health practice. Residents can now monitor disease trends in their neighborhoods, understand the risks posed by local mosquito populations, and take informed actions to safeguard their health.