Vector-borne diseases remain a serious public health concern in Texas. The state consistently ranks among the top five nationwide for West Nile virus cases, with DSHS reporting hundreds of human cases in peak years. Kissing bugs (Triatoma species) capable of transmitting Chagas disease are found in at least 28 Texas counties. Meanwhile, Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes — vectors for dengue, Zika, and chikungunya — maintain year-round populations along the Gulf Coast. We monitor DSHS surveillance data, CDC MMWR reports, and county-level mosquito testing results to deliver timely alerts.
Texas reported 410 West Nile virus cases in 2023 alone, more than any other state. Chagas disease, once considered rare in the U.S., now has an estimated 300,000+ cases nationwide with significant concentration in southern border states. Pesticide misapplication incidents — including off-label use and contaminated products — lead to EPA emergency advisories that directly affect Texas consumers. The lag between a disease outbreak and public awareness can be weeks, during which preventable exposures occur. Our coverage bridges the gap between agency surveillance data and actionable information for Texas residents, drawing from DSHS weekly reports, EPA recall notices, and published epidemiological studies.
47 articles in this category
FDA grants emergency use authorization for drug to treat New World screwworm in dogs and puppies, expanding veterinary options as parasite cases rise in Texas.
Texas A&M entomologist Gabriel Hamer deploys innovative kissing bug traps in Argentina, advancing collaborative research on Chagas disease vectors threatening Texas and the Americas.
Texas Parks and Wildlife warns visitors to San Angelo State Park about New World screwworm risks after parasite detected in Tom Green County area.
Kingsville and Robstown detected St. Louis encephalitis virus in mosquito pools, triggering targeted spraying across the Coastal Bend. No regional human cases confirmed.
Baylor College of Medicine and Texas DSHS researchers traced a likely case of soft tick-borne relapsing fever to an infected tick discovered inside an Austin-area apartment.
Galveston County confirms its first West Nile virus case of 2026, a severe neuroinvasive infection requiring hospitalization. Health officials urge immediate prevention measures.
August and September are peak West Nile months in Texas, and 2026 is tracking at a 22-year high. Here's how to protect your family, your yard, and your home.
Denton County confirms its first severe neuroinvasive West Nile virus case of 2026, marking the second human infection in the county as health officials urge prevention measures.
Mosquito samples from Pearland, Lake Jackson, and West Columbia test positive for West Nile virus, triggering targeted spraying and renewed public health warnings across Brazoria County.