2018-001 End of 2017 Mosquito SeasonDate: January 5, 2018 Report Number: 2018-001
INFORMAL STAFF REPORT
TO MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
SUBJECT:
Provide notification of the end of the 2017 mosquito season.
DISCUSSION:
Based on mosquito trap results from the last several weeks, low temperature ranges, and results
of the West Nile virus (WNV) screening by the Texas Department of State Health Services and
the University of North Texas (UNT), Denton staff members considered the 2017 mosquito
season to be completed as of December 29, 2017. In accordance with the City of Denton’s
Mosquito Surveillance and Response Plan (MSRP), the West Nile Virus risk level will be reset
to Risk Level two, and will remain at that level until the start of the 2018 mosquito season. The
following information is provided as a brief summary of the 2017 season:
Trapping began on April 26 and ended on November 28
Approximately 517 traps deployed for routine monitoring (samples sent to the TDSHS
for WNV testing and mosquito species identification)
Approximately 252 traps deployed for local testing for WNV (conducted by UNT)
Approximately 2,039 larvicide applications by the Drainage department
183 larvicide treatments distributed to citizens
Several larvicide treatments at the Mockingbird and Mingo mosquito sampling station by
the Drainage department
Two traps tested positive for WNV. The earliest detection was on September 26, and the
latest detection was October 3
No reported cases of human WNV within the City of Denton
No California Serogroup viruses were detected in the City of Denton
No reported cases of human Zika within the City of Denton
The season was mild compared with previous mosquito seasons with a late onset at the end of
September. The sampling of mosquitoes occurred for a longer period of time. It started early due
to a mild 2016 winter and was extended until late November due to the warm temperatures
experienced.
There are many staff members across the organization that are involved in the City of Denton’s
Mosquito Surveillance and Response activities. These staff members include the Drainage
Department, Public Communication Office, Technology Services, the Water Department, and
Watershed Protection. The Mosquito Surveillance and Response Program would not be possible
without the dedication and hard work of these staff members. The University of North Texas
researchers (Dr. Jim Kennedy, Taylor Gillum, Nikolas Fenster, Katie Vazquez, and Joshua
Marino) and numerous other graduate students at the University of North Texas also worked
diligently to ensure mosquito monitoring efforts and local WNV testing was completed
efficiently. It is a great honor to work with this group of City of Denton staff members and UNT
researchers.
Date: January 5, 2018 Report Number: 2018-001
Staff would like to thank City Council for their continuous support during the 2017 mosquito
season.
Please let us know if we can provide any additional information.
STAFF CONTACT:
Deborah Viera, Assistant Director of Environmental Services
940.349.7162
Deborah.Viera@cityofdenton.com