Mosquitoes Test Positive For West Nile Virus In Cedar Park

CEDAR PARK, TX — A mosquito trap sample in Cedar Park has tested positive for the West Nile virus, officials confirmed on Tuesday.

The testing was part of Williamson County and Cities Health District’s Integrated Vector Management program. The positive test was indicated in lab results received on Nov. 24 from the Texas Department of State Health Services lab in Austin, officials wrote.

The positive sample was taken on Nov. 19 from a trap site near Sun Chase Boulevard and Cypress Creek Road — the first positive test result from this location this year, officials noted. The last date a positive sample was collected from the area was Nov. 4 emerging from samples near HEB Center, officials added.

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So far this year, there have been 17 mosquito trap samples that have returned as positive for West Nile Virus in other parts of Williamson County — the highest ever recorded since the program started in 2012, officials said. Officials added there have been three human cases of West Nile virus reported in Williamson County this year.

Symptoms of infection may include fever, headache, and body aches, a skin rash on the trunk of the body and swollen lymph nodes. Those age 50 and older and/or with compromised immune systems are at a higher risk for severe symptoms, which may include stiffness, disorientation, coma, tremors, vision loss, paralysis, and in rare cases, death.

Mosquitoes are present in Central Texas year-round, but the population is largest and most active from May through November. During this period, the county's health district monitors the mosquito population and tests for mosquito-borne viruses.

“Cooler temperatures prolong wet breeding areas for mosquitoes,“ Jason Fritz, the health district's Integrated Vector Management Program lead, said in a prepared statement. “Dumping any amount of standing water around your home and using insect repellent when outdoors, especially at dawn and dusk, is highly recommended to keep yourself and your family safe from mosquito-borne illness.”

The most important way to prevent West Nile Virus is to reduce the number of mosquitoes where people work and play, officials said. Health officials strongly encourage everyone to remain vigilant about protecting themselves from mosquito bites and preventing mosquito breeding on their personal property. Mosquitoes breed in standing water, needing as little as one teaspoon. By draining all sources of standing water in and around your property, you reduce the number of places mosquitoes can lay their eggs and breed.

What you can do

Eliminating places where mosquitoes can breed and reducing the chances of mosquito bites are the most effective lines of defense against exposure to West Nile Virus. As part of its Fight the Bite campaign the Health District recommends the 3 Ds of mosquito safety:

• Drain standing water in flowerpots, pet dishes, or clogged gutters so mosquitoes don’t have a place to breed and treat water that can’t be drained.
• Defend by using an EPA-approved insect repellent.
• Dress in long sleeves and pants when outdoors.

For more information, visit the Williamson County and Cities Health District website at www.wcchd.org or visit the Texas Department of State Health Services West Nile website at txwestnile.org.