From Matagorda County Office of Emergency Management
Aerial mosquito spraying was to begin around 8 p.m Sunday, the Matagorda County Office of Emergency Management reported.
The Emergency Operation Center EOC has been advised by the Texas Health and Human Service to seek preemptive measures to prevent the spread of infectious diseases to people, pets and livestock in Matagorda County.
EOC is requesting the assistance from the State of Texas for mosquito aerial support planes to cover areas that have been identified as potential places where infectious diseases might develop.
Due to Hurricane Beryl, storm surge and thunderstorms received, Matagorda County was inundated with large amounts of water.
With large amounts of pooling water, insects and especially mosquitoes, the population of mosquitoes has increased causing extreme health concerns for infectious diseases.
Matagorda County has already seen a tremendous increase in the mosquito population.
Matagorda County has over 60 miles of coastline, one of the largest in the State of Texas.
Our neighboring County (Brazoria County) has had West Nile Virus detected in their mosquito pools already this year.
It is important to point out that Brazoria County does have the species of mosquitoes that transmit malaria.
These two aerial planes are needed to ensure the safety of the public.