Mosquitoes In Cedar Park Test Positive For West Nile Virus

CEDAR PARK, TX — A mosquito trap sample collected in Cedar Park has tested positive for West Nile virus, officials said Friday.

The positive sample was taken from a trap site near West New Hope Drive and Avenue of the Stars, in the area of HEB Center at Cedar Park, according to a city advisory. This is the first time this season that a sample from that location has tested positive for West Nile virus, officials said, adding that the last date a positive sample was collected was October 2018.

This testing is part of Williamson County and Cities Health District’s Integrated Vector Management program. Officials said the positive test was indicated in lab results received on Nov. 6 from the Texas Department of State Health Services lab in Austin.

In 2020, officials said, there have been 16 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. City 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, city officials advised. During this period, the health district monitors the mosquito population and tests for mosquito-borne viruses.

“Cooler temperatures prolong wet breeding areas for mosquitoes,“ Jason Fritz, the Integrated Vector Management program lead at Williamson County and Cities Health District, 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.”

Health district officials said the most important way to prevent West Nile Virus is to reduce the number of mosquitoes where people work and play. 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 their properties, residents can 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, and
• Dress in long sleeves and pants when outdoors.

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