Rockwall County Residents Urged to Guard Against Mosquito-Borne Diseases This Season

Texas recorded more West Nile virus cases than any other state in 2024, and the Rockwall County Chamber of Commerce is calling on local residents to take protective steps as mosquito season ramps up this spring.

West Nile virus is the leading cause of mosquito-borne disease in the United States. Texas reported 455 cases of West Nile disease in 2024 and 56 deaths. Over the last five years, from 2020 through 2024, the state logged 929 West Nile cases and 122 deaths. Texas had the most cases of the West Nile virus in humans last year, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data, with California ranking second at 123 cases.

West Nile was not the only concern: there were 241 cases of dengue in Texas in 2024, including two locally acquired cases. The Chamber's public health awareness push comes as North Texas enters the warmer months when mosquito populations begin expanding rapidly.

Infected mosquitoes transmit West Nile after biting, and although 80 percent of people exposed to the virus do not get sick, the remainder will develop symptoms such as fever, nausea, headache, fatigue, and muscle and joint pain. Less than one percent of those exposed will suffer from West Nile neuroinvasive disease, which affects the nervous system and can cause disorientation, neck stiffness, tremors, paralysis, convulsions, and even death.

Texas Department of State Health Services Commissioner Jennifer A. Shuford has urged Texans to act before symptoms appear. "Texans should be aware that mosquitoes transmit disease, and some of these illnesses, like West Nile and dengue, can be severe," Shuford said, adding that "taking steps to prevent mosquito bites and eliminating mosquito breeding areas around homes are proactive measures that can reduce the risk of mosquito-borne illness."

Mosquito-borne illnesses are on the rise as winters grow milder and summers stretch longer and hotter, a trend that puts counties like Rockwall, with its mix of lakefront neighborhoods, green belts, and subdivisions with decorative water features, at continued risk throughout a lengthening season. Mosquitoes remain active into November and December in much of Texas, meaning the window of exposure extends well beyond the summer months most people expect.

Health authorities recommend a straightforward set of precautions. Wearing long sleeves and pants outdoors creates a physical barrier, while applying an EPA-registered repellent containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus, para-menthane-diol, or 2-undecanone provides chemical protection. Keeping doors and windows closed or properly screened reduces indoor exposure. Standing water should be eliminated: containers that collect water, including flowerpots, birdbaths, and tarps, should be emptied, scrubbed, or turned over at least once a week, since mosquitoes can lay hundreds of eggs in just a few days.

Anyone in Rockwall County experiencing symptoms consistent with West Nile, particularly fever, severe headache, or sudden muscle weakness following mosquito exposure, should contact a healthcare provider promptly and mention that exposure. The Texas DSHS Disease Surveillance and Epidemiology Section can be reached at 512-776-7676 for additional guidance.