See mosquitoes everywhere? This is not your imagination

If you feel that mosquitoes are everywhere right now, it's not your imagination. But experts say the prosperous species of recent rains are not known to carry West Nile virus.

Dr. Michael Merchant, an entomologist from the Texas A & M AgriLife Extension, says the mosquitoes that most people see are mosquitoes in floodwaters.

"They are very aggressive and they have a painful bite with mosquitoes," says Merchant. "They are the ones who come out after heavy rains, because they lay their eggs in low places on the ground."

Mosquitoes can transmit heartworm disease to dogs, but do not transmit West Nile virus.

Aedes and culex mosquitoes that spread West Nile prefer stagnant water. Merchants claim that their breeding grounds are disrupted by heavy, wet rains at a time when cooler temperatures indicate a slowdown in activity.

"West Nile virus mosquitoes do not like that kind of weather. It cleans their dirty stench holes and makes them disappear a little while, "said Merchant.

Despite that, he says people should not let their guard down.

Last week, Plano reported a second human case of West Nile virus and announced plans to spray targeted mosquitoes on Monday night.

The Dallas County Health Department said the typical mosquito season runs from April to November. The health department expects to see additional West Nile virus activity this fall as recent rains will provide additional sources of water for future breeding.

The ministry recommends that people drain stagnant water in their yards and continue to take appropriate precautions for West Nile. They include the use of repellent with DEET, wearing long sleeves and pants on the outside and avoiding the outdoors at dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are more active.

The merchant indicates that mosquitoes that carry Zika and Denge remain active. But locally transmitted cases have not been reported.

Texas reports three cases of Zika so far in 2018 and all were transmitted during a trip outside the United States.

The Dallas County Health Department says the risk extends to travelers. The departments warn travelers returning from areas of the world where Zika exists EPA mosquito repellents for 3 weeks after they return to the United States to avoid infecting local mosquitoes.

According to Dr. Shantala Samart, an infectious disease physician in the Methodist Health System, West Nile is the main concern. Although human cases have not reached high levels this year, she is asking patients to take precautions, regardless of the mosquito's conditions.

"This year we had a bit of luck compared to previous years and we hope this trend will continue," said Samart. "With these new rains, we will have to wait and see."

"The majority of patients bitten by a mosquito carrying West Nile virus will suffer from a mild viral disease," Samart added. "It is the small proportion of patients, generally older and suffering from underlying diseases, who develop the most aggressive disease, namely the neuroinvasive disease of West Nile. It is the one that concerns us.