HOUSTON – A single mosquito bite two years ago changed Fernando Silva’s life forever and health officials are now warning that this summer’s record mosquito surge across southeast Texas could put thousands of others at risk.
Fort Bend County has declared a public health emergency after confirming 32 West Nile-positive mosquito samples across the county. Officials said the county has completed aerial spraying operations and continue ground-based treatments, mosquito surveillance and other environmental health efforts.
KPRC 2 News reporter Corley Peel spoke with Silva, a passionate Tejano singer and guitar player from Cleveland, about how one mosquito bite in 2024 took everything from him.
“I went into the hospital and quickly went into the ICU after being able to walk previously. By that midnight, I became paralyzed from the neck down and the doctors had no idea what it was,” Silva said.
Doctors later determined Silva had contracted West Nile virus, which triggered a rare and devastating condition called Guillain-Barré syndrome, known as GBS, a neurological disorder in which the immune system attacks the body’s own nerves, causing muscle weakness and paralysis.
Today, Silva remains in a wheelchair.
“I have movement in both my legs and my arms, just not my extremities ,not my hands and my feet,” he said.
Silva says the experience has left him with a simple but powerful message for others.
“I can’t emphasize enough, I keep thinking to myself, what if I would have used repellent that day?” he said.
Despite the uncertainty about his recovery, Silva says he is holding on to faith.
“As a guitar player, this is beyond frustrating. I can’t even begin to tell you how frustrating it is. But I’m a man of faith, so I believe I will get better,” he said.
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Fort Bend County health emergency: What you need to know
Fort Bend County’s 32 confirmed West Nile-positive mosquito samples are broken down by zip code on the county’s Mosquito Control Treatment Map at fbchhs.org. Officials say West Nile virus is the primary mosquito-borne illness of concern in Fort Bend County.
Other mosquito-borne diseases to be aware of include:
West Nile virus — the most common mosquito-borne disease in Texas; symptoms range from none at all to, in rare cases, serious neurological illness.
Zika virus — can cause fever, rash and joint pain.
Dengue fever — can cause high fever, severe headache and muscle and joint pain.
Chikungunya virus — commonly causes fever and significant joint pain.
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How to protect yourself
Dr. Olivia Tomasco, a primary care physician and internist at Houston Methodist West Hospital, says heavy rains triggered the outbreak and prevention is the best defense.
“It’s very important that people are looking out for any areas of standing water around their homes. Clear those out because that’s where mosquitoes breed. Always put on something that has DEET if you’re going to be going outside,” Tomasco said.
Houston Methodist experts offer the following prevention tips:
Eliminate standing water at your home — mosquitoes breed in even small amounts of water found in planters, toys, gutters and outdoor furniture.
Use effective repellents — products containing DEET, picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus offer the most reliable protection. Citronella candles and bug zappers provide little meaningful defense.
Wear protective clothing — long sleeves, pants and permethrin-treated clothing add an extra layer of defense.
Limit outdoor time at dawn and dusk, when mosquitoes are most active.