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Ector County Not Spraying For Mosquitoes
Ector County Not Spraying For Mosquitoes 10/16/12
Robert Guaderrama
rguaderrama@cbs7.com
October 16, 2012
WEST ODESSA, TEXAS - An Ector County resident is speaking out about a problem he says is a threat to his life. The resident tells CBS 7 he was counting on county leaders to address a mosquito problem in his neighborhood but he's discovered help is not on the way.
For the average person West Nile Virus is not a major threat but for one west Odessa man, it's a different story.
"I’ve been fighting cancer since 1993, my immune system is really low," said Tony, Concerned Ector County Resident.
Tony says because of his Throat Cancer he's at risk of serious complications if he contracts the virus. He says recent rain has multiplied the mosquito population around his house, which is why he called on the county to come out and spray, however they told him, they couldn't.
"The county can't do nothing about it because they don't have anybody licensed to use the poison," said Tony.
Officials with the Ector County Health Department tell CBS 7 the county's Road and Highway Department handle spraying but they do not have anyone on staff that has the license to do so. News Tony was surprised to hear.
"We've lived here our whole lives and we can't get protection from them or anyone, what are we gonna do, what is the whole county gonna do?" said Tony, he continues, “I'm not the only one with cancer, there's a lot of people go have cancer."
Tony tells us he now fears for his life and others.
"Hire somebody no matter of how much it costs, if you have to spend money to get somebody out here that money is less than a life, my life or anyone's life here in this town," said Tony
We made several attempts to contact the County's Road and Highway Department and Judge Susan Redford's office to ask them what the county's game plan is to address the problem, however no on was available to comment.