CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Five cases of mosquitoes carrying the viral Saint Louis Encephalitis disease have been reported in three cities in the Coastal Bend. SLE is a viral disease spread to people by the bite of an infected mosquito.
Locations of cases:
- August 17: 4000 block of Bartlett Street (Corpus Christi)
- August 27: 1200 block of Main Drive (Corpus Christi)
- August 28: Two locations: (Kingsville)
- E. Cesar Avenue and Hall Street
- N. Fifth Street and W. Santa Gertrudis Avenue
- September 4: Gonzalez Street located in the San Pedro Subdivision of Robstown, Texas.
The City of Corpus Christi reported its first positive case of 2020 in the 400 block of Bartlett Street on August 17. 10 days later, the City found another case in a second neighborhood in the 1200 block of Main Drive. The City of Kingsville has also reported cases.
In Corpus, the two locations of SLE in mosquitoes are only 10 miles apart.
"We have identified areas of the City where to population, growth happens more often than other specific areas," Joel Skidmore with Corpus Christi Vector Control said.
Skidmore said once there is a positive case of SLE -- that's when the real work begins. Crews have been spraying the affected areas for three nights in a row. Skidmore said the health of the community is the number one priority.
"That’s why we do testing throughout the year," Skidmore said. "That’s why we send samples up to DSHS throughout the year on a weekly basis."
Dr. Kim Onufrak with the Nueces County Public Health District said while no human has contracted SLE from these positive mosquitoes, people living in the affected area should keep an eye out for symptoms, if you get bit by a mosquito.
"You might have fever, you might have fatigue, headaches, nausea, vomiting, body aches," Dr. Onufrak said.
Even then, Dr. Onufrak said feeling these symptoms is rare.
"Most of the time, you’re gonna be asymptomatic," Dr. Onufrak said."You’re not gonna know that you have it."
Officials said the number of infected mosquitoes is low. Exposure is minimal, but they advise remaining aware and proactive in protecting yourself when stepping outside.
They added that DEET can be mosquitoes worst enemy and having it handy could go a long way.
August 17
The City of Corpus detected the SLE virus in a mosquito pool collected from the 400 block of Bartlett Street.
August 27
The 1200 block of Main Drive reported a positive case.
Kingsville:
On August 28, The City of Kingsville reported two mosquitoes found in Kingsville have tested positive for SLE. The mosquitoes were found in an alley at the corner of E. Cesar Avenue and Hall Street, as well as in a drainage ditch at the corner of N. Fifth Street and W. Santa Gertrudis Avenue, according to city officials.
What happens next:
Mosquitos are then sent to the Department of State Health Services laboratory in Austin. The City said that's where molecular identification is performed for any Vector Borne diseases.
"The trapping of mosquitoes and the identification of viral diseases carried by mosquitoes allows for rapid mobilization of resources to reduce the spread into humans," officials with the City said.
Symptoms:
Most people infected with SLE virus have no apparent illness. Initial symptoms of those who become ill include fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, and tiredness. Severe neuro-invasive disease (often involving encephalitis, an inflammation of the brain) occurs more commonly in older adults.
Protocols the City is taking:
To mitigate and reduce the possible spread of SLE into humans, Vector Services has implemented the Mosquito Management Response Plan and is taking the following preventative measure:
- Spray within a 1/2-mile radius around the area of the detection for three consecutive nights beginning Tuesday evening, weather permitting.
- Police will Direct Patrol Officers and Neighborhood Services personnel to locate any standing water in the affected neighborhood including examining abandoned properties.
- Vector Services will continue to monitor and conduct surveillance of mosquito traps in the immediate area for signs of the Culex species of mosquito.
To prevent SLE infection, the Corpus Christi-Nueces County Public Health District recommends following the 5 D’s of defense:
- DEET – Use insect repellent containing DEET.
- DRESS – Dress in long sleeves and pants when you are outside.
- DAWN, DAYTIME and DUSK – Avoid being outside during these times of day to prevent bites. Dawn, Daytime and Dusk are the times of day when mosquitoes are most active.DRAIN – Regularly drain standing water, including water that collects in empty cans, tires, buckets, clogged rain gutters and saucers under potted plants. Mosquitoes breed in stagnant water.
- DOCTOR – Consult a physician if you feel sick after being bitten.
Please call the call center at 361-826-2489 if you wish to report abandoned property or high grass or standing water.