Presentation and discussion on the development of community based collaboration for the prevention of mosquito borne illnesses, to encourage public education, illness prevention, and Arboviral intervention with our private, public and governmental entities.

Mr. Eddie Olivarez opened up by informing the attendees that due to the constant rains there has been an increase to the mosquito population here in Hidalgo County. The county has previously seen mosquito borne illnesses such as, dengue cases, west nile, chikungunya, most recent, zika virus. Although, the mosquito population has increase, Mr. Olivarez made it clear to the public that as now, there are zero cases of zika in the Valley. He restated that as far as they're aware of, there are no infected mosquitos here. However, there're infected mosquitos localized in Central and Southern Mexico. As raining and hurricane season approaches the conditions will become optimum. 

Mr. Olivarez introduced a presentation put together by the Health & Human Services Department. Mr. Olivarez pointed out that mosquitos are part of of the world's deadliest animals, causing death to about 725,000 people around the world. He explained that these infections are mostly settled in high poverty areas however, those illnesses mutate and migrate to other parts of the world. Therefore, now there're problems with zika. 

The Health & Human Administrator notified that Hidalgo County has 25 different types of mosquitos. As of now, they have trapped about 9 different types of mosquitos here in the Valley. Mr. Olivarez disclosed that at the moment they are very interested in one specific mosquito, the Aedes aegypti. Currently they are very concern over this particular mosquito, because it can cause problems with zika and dengue. Aedes aegypti bites in the day and night, bites very soft below the knee, and only females bite. Accordingly, the females lay 100 to 300 eggs at a time, during its lifetime.

Mr. Olivarez acknowledged the presence of Mr. Josh Ramirez, Director of Health for the City of McAllen. 

Again, Mr. Olivarez stated that Aedes aegypti prefers humans and because of that, it chooses to live near cities. The mosquito likes being indoors and only likes clean water. 

Further, the director spoke about the symptoms of the zika virus. Some of the general symptoms are, fever, rash, joint pain, conjunctivitis (red eyes), muscle pain, headache, and will cause microcephaly in babies and possibly Guillain-Barre Syndrome. Mr. Olivarez made clear that zika virus is not the only cause of microcephaly, this disease can also be caused due to drug abuse or genetic disorder, even environmental factors. 

The transmission is primarily through mosquito to human, then the mosquito gets it from other people that may carry the zika virus. Mr. Olivarez noted that zika started in 1947 in Uganda. According to Mr. Olivarez, there're 40 people infected with zika here in Texas. Microcephaly does occur in Hidalgo County, the case count is .00452 for every 10,000 the State of Texas has higher rates at .00135 per 10,000

By working with other teams, the county is carrying on mosquito surveillance. Setting up mosquito traps, landing counts, environmental analysis, larviciding and adulticiding. Mr. Olivarez informed that the mosquitos being trapped are sent out to the laboratory in Austin. City of McAllen is sending their mosquitos to UT Galveston, and UTRGV has opened a laboratory in Brownsville and one opening in Edinburg. 

One of the actions being taken to control the spread is fogging, despite the popular belief that fogging helps, it only helps about 30% Mr. Olivarez explained that they monitor the fogging as they have to report to the State. The fogging is also limited, as mosquitos can become immune to fogging.

Mr. Olivarez advised that this is not a problem that can be spray away, he urged to clean weedy lots, remove tires, fix window and door screens.

It was advised that for those counties or cities that wish to spray, crews should have a license or be under supervision of someone with a license. Every city and precinct should have someone with a non-commercial license issued by the Department of Agriculture and have the vector control category. 

Judge Garcia acknowledged all the hard work done by the Health & Human Services Department and appreciated the presentation given by Mr. Olivarez. The judge encouraged everyone to cooperate with inventory to make sure everything is ready for what's to be needed. Judge Garcia included Emergency Management Chief Ricardo Saldaña in the acknowledgments.

The judge brief the courtroom in regards to a letter sent out to various city mayors, in relation to the anticipation of Zika Virus and how everyone can be educated in prevention efforts. 

Mr. Olivarez commented to Commissioner Palacios that funding from the state and federal is very limited. Informing that he was one of only three directors who testified in front of the Senate. He disclosed that there's only $52 million dollars allocated to the entire United Stated by the CDC, the State of Texas gets $1.5 million and half of that is being for promotional media and the rest for lab testing.

Commissioner Palacios questioned as to what other options could be done to collaborate with rural cities. In regards, Mr. Olivarez advised that there must be a collaboration between the cities and the precincts, in coordination with Emergency Management. 

Moreover, Commissioner Palacios questioned the process as to how to educate the public as they become better aware of the symptoms. On that regard, Mr. Olivarez stated that there's no cure for zika, there's no vaccine or cure, only medication that lessens the symptoms. The health director stated that there's a criteria for those who wish to be tested for zika. Mr. Olivarez emphasized that the Center for Disease Control and Prevention is the only one qualify to test for zika. 

Court took no action on this item.