After recent heavy rains in Texas, Houston residents face a severe mosquito infestation, with climate change expected to exacerbate future outbreaks.
Matt Keyser and Dino Grandoni report for The Washington Post.
In short:
- Recent heavy rains in Texas have led to an unusually high mosquito population in Houston.
- Warmer temperatures and increased rainfall from climate change are creating ideal mosquito breeding conditions.
- Harris County health officials are working to control mosquito populations to prevent disease spread.
Key quote:
" ... as it gets warmer earlier, we see a larger amount of mosquitoes earlier. We are getting hotter temperatures earlier. This is the impact that climate change has had on Harris County."
— Max Vigilant, director of mosquito and vector control in Harris County
Why this matters:
Experts warn that the situation is more than a seasonal nuisance. With climate change driving increasingly unpredictable weather patterns, including heavier rainfall and warmer temperatures, Houston and other regions could see more frequent and severe mosquito outbreaks. Warmer climates accelerate the mosquito life cycle and expand their habitat, making infestations more common and prolonged.
This surge disrupts daily life and raises public health alarms due to the potential spread of mosquito-borne diseases such as West Nile virus and Zika.
