1. Hurricane Rita Vector Control Issues and the DSHS Response
Diseases In Nature
June 13, 2007
Austin, Texas

2. Vector Control Issues Mosquitoes Floodwater mosquitoes
Standing water mosquitoes

3. Mosquitoes
The clock starts
ticking when water
flow stops. Time of
emergence is dependent upon species

4. Hurricane Rita and Mosquito Control
Pre-landfall events
Landfall
Post-landfall events

5. Pre-landfall Events

6. State Operations Center (SOC)

7. DSHS Entomologist
Conferences with State Epidemiologist concerning mosquito control activities following landfall
Conferences with CDC Entomologists offering assistance following landfill

10. 2,000,000 people without electricity for several weeks

11. Rainfall ranged from 6- 10 inches in some areas

12. Coastal tidal surges reportedly ranged from 4 – 15 feet

13. Creation of new mosquito breeding sites

14. Joint Field Office (JFO)

15. Restoration of electrical power

16. Debris removal and clean-up efforts

17. Mosquito Control: The Science
Bionomics of species
Documented Mosquito Landing Rate Counts
Data reflect trends
Insecticide Application
Too soon = no control
Too late = no or little control

18. Egg deposition sites for salt-marsh mosquitoes

19. Aedes sollicitans, Salt-Marsh mosquito

20. Mosquito Landing Rate Count
Locations representative of area
Same time
Same observer
Number of mosquitoes landing/minute

21. Mosquito Landing Rate Count

22. Mosquito Landing Rate Count
Surveillance
Demonstrate need for application of insecticides (FEMA required)
Evaluation
Effectiveness of insecticide applications (FEMA required)

23. Mosquito Landing Rate Count
Total number of documented adult mosquitoes that land in one minute on the front of one leg from the waist to the foot
FEMA/CDC determine the threshold number
FEMA/CDC set the time frame for mosquito control activities

24. Mosquito Landing Rate Count
Documented
70+ per minute in Port Arthur, Jefferson County
40+ per minute in Bridge City, Orange County
30 per minute in Hardin County

25. U.S. Air Force Aerial Spraying
Orange, Jefferson, Chambers Counties
Documented Pre-spraying mosquito landing rate counts
Documented Post-spraying mosquito landing rate counts

26. National Wildlife Areas/Preserves
NO SPRAY ZONES

28. U.S. Air Force Entomological Field Team
Air Force Institute of Operational Health, Brooks City-Base, Texas
Documented Pre-spraying mosquito landing rate counts
Recommended USAF Aerial Spray for portions of Hardin, Jasper and Newton counties based on their data

30. Ground ULV Unit

31. Acknowledgements Dr.Tom Betz, Acting State Epidemiologist, DSHS
Dr. James Wright, DSHS, PHR 4/5

32. Acknowledgements Chambers County Mosquito Control District
Lawrence Lewis
Jefferson County Mosquito Control District
Lee Chastant
Orange County Mosquito Control District
Patrick Beebe

33. Acknowledgements CDC USAF DOD Dr. Roger Nasci Dr. Janet McAllister
Major Mark Breidenbaugh, Aerial Spray Flight
Dr. Chad McHugh, Entomology Field Team Leader
DOD
Captain John Morning