Mosquito-Borne Illness

The Texas Education Agency has asked all Texas school districts to help raise awareness of mosquito-borne illnesses such as Zika, West Nile and dengue.

Zika Poster

Zika Virus Protection and Prevention

Measures for Individuals to Protect Themselves from Mosquito Bites

  • wear insect repellent,

  • cover up with long-sleeved shirts and long pants,

  • keep mosquitoes out with air conditioning or intact window screens,

  • limit outdoor activities during peak mosquito times.

Measures for Individuals to Prevent Mosquito Breeding

  • At least weekly, carefully check the area around your home, school or workplace for mosquito breeding areas:

    • clear and empty gutters;

    • empty or get rid of cans, buckets, old tires, pots, plant saucers and other containers that hold water;

    • remove standing water around structures and from flat roofs;

    • change water in pet dishes daily;

    • rinse and scrub vases and other indoor water containers weekly;

    • change water in wading pools and bird baths several times a week;

    • maintain backyard pools or hot tubs;

    • cover trash containers;

    • water lawns and gardens carefully so water does not stand for several days;

    • screen rain barrels and openings to water tanks or cisterns; and

    • treat front and back door areas of homes with residual insecticides if mosquitoes are abundant nearby.

  • If mosquito problems persist, consider pesticide applications for vegetation around the home.

Measures to Protect Communities from Zika Virus

  • conduct neighborhood outreach about active precautions individuals can take to protect themselves and their families from mosquito bites;

  • initiate or enhance monitoring and surveillance of mosquito activity;

  • develop a local contingency plan for mosquito abatement and surveillance, and plan for additional control measures if needed;

  • keep public drains and ditches clear of weeds and trash so water will not collect;

  • implement efforts to clean up illegal dump sites and collect heavy trash; and

  • encourage people to report illegal dumpsites and standing water, and respond quickly to these complaints.

More Information