Post–Hurricane Rita Mosquito Surveillance and the Efficacy of Air Force Aerial Applications for Mosquito Control in East Texas

Abstract

Post-Hurricane Rita mosquito surveillance was carried out in 4 east Texas counties to determine mosquito abundance, species composition, and need for mosquito control. Subsequently, aerial applications of naled (Dibrom) for mosquito control were made by the Air Force Aerial Spray Flight, while continued surveillance documented the efficacy of the applications. Psorophora columbiae was the predominant species in landing counts. Twenty-two mosquito species were represented in light trap collections with Aedes atlanitcus/tormentor, Culex nigripalpus, Ae. vexans, and Ps. columbiae making up 91% of the total. A total of 102,001 ha (252,052 acres) were aerially treated based on high mosquito abundance, exposure of first responders and residents to nuisance biting, and local interruption of electric utilities. A significant 90% decline in mosquito abundance was observed posttreatment.

Impacts of Hurricanes Irma and Maria on Aedes aegypti Populations, Aquatic Habitats, and Mosquito Infections with Dengue, Chikungunya, and Zika Viruses in Puerto Rico

“…4 Emergency vector control has been practiced in the United States after severe storms due to significant increases in ground-water mosquitoes. 3,5,6,8 Our study of mosquito captures in the metro area of San Juan could not be directly compared with a previous study 21 because we did not have the same traps available after the hurricanes. However, we obtained similar results to the previous study conducted during a wetter than normal year (2005) when we used CDC miniature light traps with CO 2 : high numbers of Culex ( Melanoconion ) spp.…”

Preparations and Activities Necessary for Aerial Mosquito Control After Hurricanes

“…While adult mosquitoes are unlikely to survive the high winds associated with hurricanes, 2-3 weeks after the storm makes landfall mosquito abundance will peak and requests for assistance begin (Breidenbaugh et al 2008). During this time local officials are typically involved with first-response and recovery efforts.…”

“…Aerial applications are generally preferred after natural disaster flooding events because trucks have limited access due to road closures, downed trees, and compromised infrastructure (CDC 1993, Simpson 2006, Breidenbaugh et al 2008. Furthermore, given equal manpower, a single aircraft can treat 40,000-45,000 acres (16,187-18,218 ha) per night and trucks typically cover only 80-90 road miles (approximately 3,091 acres) in a single evening.…”

Mosquito Control Emergency Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters

“…There are several publications that describe disease risk after natural disasters (CDC 1993, Nasci and Moore 1998, Watson et al 2007, Harrison et al 2009, Barrera et al 2019; mosquito control experiences with specific hurricanes and results from control activities in a postdisaster environment (Brown 1997, Breidenbaugh et al 2006, Simpson 2006, Foppa et al 2007, Breidenbaugh et al 2008, Harris et al 2014; and mosquito habitats created in the wake of storms (Caillouët et al 2008a(Caillouët et al , 2008bHribar 2018). Connelly et al (2020) recommends the continuation of mosquito surveillance and control to the extent possible after natural disasters.…”