The City of Lubbock issued a cheery little press release this week: congratulations, residents, mosquitoes in the area are now carrying both West Nile Virus and St. Louis Encephalitis. Texas Tech’s Biological Threat Research Lab confirmed the viruses in local samples, and now Vector Control will get to work spraying and exterminating like it’s the world’s least-fun fog machine.
Officials reminded everyone that you can catch these illnesses without ever showing symptoms—because nothing says “peace of mind” like silently wondering if tonight’s mosquito bite comes with brain swelling. If you do feel off, the city suggests you call your healthcare provider. Groundbreaking advice, truly.
As always, the prevention tips were the usual: wear bug spray, cover up, fix your window screens, and don’t let water sit in your yard like a free mosquito AirBnB. Oh, and limit your outdoor time during dawn and dusk, which in Lubbock’s summer basically means: just never go outside.
At this point, the city might as well slap “Come for the dust storms, stay for the encephalitis” on the welcome signs.
