4 Individuals in South Florida infected with Zika by Local Mosquitoes

Four people in Miami-Dade County and Broward County have contracted the Zika virus from local mosquitoes. These cases are not travel related and are most likely the first cases of local transmission in the United States. The FDA has asked blood centers in these two counties to stop accepting blood donations until they can individually test every single donation for Zika.

Southern High Plains IPM Newsletter, Jul 29

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Southern High Plains IPM Newsletter, Jul 22

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Possible First Case of Local Zika Transmission in the U.S.

The first possible case of local transmission of the Zika virus is currently being investigated in Miami, Florida. What I mean by 'local transmission' is that the patient did not travel to a Zika hot-spot like Brazil, but rather was bitten by an infected mosquito in the United States.

These mosquitoes don't travel very far, so we are not getting infected mosquitoes flying all the way up to Florida from South America. Instead, a person who traveled to an infected area returned and was bitten by a local, uninfected mosquito while they still had the virus inside them. That mosquito acquired the Zika virus and quickly turned around and bit another person, subsequently infecting them.

Check out my last blog post for some great resources Agrilife has put together on how to keep yourself safe this summer!

Zika Update

The first case of female-to-male sexual transmission of the Zika virus has been documented. What this means is that the virus could spread more easily than previously thought. Texas A&M Entomologists have been working hard to prepare for this summer and make sure everyone is protected with the right information.

Dr. Mike Merchant has summarized all of the fact sheets Agrilife Extension has on Zika in his blog, Insects in the City . I've listed them below.

• Zika Precautions for Women (ENTO-053) is a new publication outlining the most important steps women can take to protect themselves and their unborn children from Zika.  Protecting women is the top priority for public health agencies this summer.
• What Texans Need to Know About Zika Virus (ENTO-052) General information about Zika, what causes it, whether you should be worried, and how to stop it. (Spanish Version) 
• Mosquitoes and the Diseases they Transmit (ENTO-040) Provides an overview of all important disease carrying mosquitoes in Texas.  Revised in 2016. (Spanish Version) 
• Buzz Off (ENTO-055) A short reminder of the 4-Ds, the four ways to avoid mosquito bites.  A quick safety reminder for yourself and employees.
• DIY Backyard Mosquito Control (ENTO-054)  An overview of all the mosquito control options available to consumers, including hiring a professional.  Advantages and disadvantages of each option are listed, including what we know and don't know about the many products out there.  (Spoiler alert: don't buy bug zappers for mosquito control--they don't kill many mosquitoes)

Southern High Plains IPM Newsletter, Jul15

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Sugarcane Aphids on the Move Through Crosby County

Sugarcane aphids have been found in Crosby County in low numbers and are slowly moving through the county. I found very low numbers of both sugarcane aphids and yellow sugarcane aphids in sorghum on Wednesday in northeastern Crosby Co, just west of McAdoo. Then yesterday, Jul 14, I found another field on the west side of Ralls that had low numbers of both species of aphids.

Currently we are finding less than 5% of the plants infested, with colonies of no more than 10 aphids each. The number of winged adults remains low. However, given the reproductive potential of these critters, this may change quickly. I will continue to check fields and post updates as I go. Also check out the Texas Sugarcane Aphid News for updates and management recommendations.

Southern High Plains IPM Newsletter, Jul 8

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Sugarcane Aphids found in Sorghum in San Angelo, Mills County

Over the last week, several counties have reported finding the sugarcane aphid on sorghum.

On Friday July 1, Joel Webb (Extension Agent-IPM, Runnels and Tom Green Counties) has identified sugarcane aphids in the San Angelo area.

This morning, Tom Guthrie (Extension Agent-Ag, Mills County) reported building populations of sugarcane aphids on sorghum in Mills, Comanche and Hamilton counties. Some fields have exceeded threshold. Additionally, a private consultant reports finding aphids in Nolan, Fisher, and Jones counites at treatable levels.

Also this morning, Dr. Tom Royer, Oklahoma State University Entomologist, has confirmed that low numbers of sugarcane aphids were beginning to be found in several Oklahoma counties.

Sugarcane aphids on sorghum in Mills county. Photo: Tom Guthrie

Southern High Plains IPM Newsletter, Jul 1

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