WEST NILE – TEXAS STYLE!

2012 AERIAL ULV EMERGENCY REPSONSE

Clark Wood

Clarke Mosquito Control

CWood@clarke.com

ABSTRACT

In 2012, over 1,750 human cases of West Nile virus, including 79 deaths, were reported in the State of Texas. The focus of this epidemic occurred in the Dallas metropolitan area. In mid-August, the State of Texas, Department of State Health Services activated the Clarke-Dynamic Aviation emergency aerial ULV contract to respond to the ongoing West Nile virus epidemic in Dallas and Denton Counties. Over a period of 9 nights, 5 twin-turbine planes were used to spray a total of 1,440,600 acres to head-off this epidemic using Duet® dual-action Adulticide. The presentation will review the operational timeline, approach to media coverage, the use of social media, and logistical planning. The results showed a 93% reduction of Culex mosquitoes in Dallas County gravid traps data, and a significant decline in new human cases in the weeks after the aerial ULV response.