Every day, Vector Control Director Aviel Saenz starts his day walking through overgrown brush to check is mosquito traps.
“There’s a few in there. Maybe ten or more.” Saenz pointed out.
Each Mosquito is important—because any one of the dozens caught every day could be carrying the West Nile virus.
"It is in the Valley."
It is just zeroing in on where the infected mosquitoes are and how many could be lurking in the area.
Once caught the mosquitoes are sent off to Austin.
Each one is tested and those results are sent back to the Valley.
Luckily for Saenz there have been no confirmed cases of the virus in Rio Grande City or Starr County—but it is something he has been preparing for months.
"We immediately started cutting grass and weeds in empty lots."
As reports of the virus continue to flood in—Saenz said he and his team will continue to work to keep the residents of Rio Grande City protected by making sure the only mosquito breeding grounds in the city or near his traps.
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