West Nile virus bill passes Texas Senate, heads to the House
In 2012, the state of Texas experienced an epidemic of West Nile virus in humans with over 1,700 cases recorded, accounting for about one-third of all cases in the United States. Dallas County, considered the “epicenter” of the epidemic, reported 371 cases, more than the total of every state other than California.
In an effort to keep mosquito populations under control, the Texas Senate passed a bill that would allow cities and counties to enter onto abandoned or foreclosed property to treat pools of stagnant water for mosquitoes that carry the disease.
The bill was introduced by Dallas Republican Senator, John Carona. It passed the senate Tuesday on a 28-3 vote. The bill now goes to the House.
Carona said the authority given to localities by this bill would help prevent a repeat of 2012 record numbers in Dallas County and in Texas as a whole.
If passed by the House and signed by the governor, Carona’s bill would take effect on Sept. 1.
Dallas County, Texas
Image/David Benbennick via Wikimedia Commons
