2nd Mosquito Sample In Cedar Park Tests Positive For West Nile

CEDAR PARK, TEXAS — City officials on Tuesday said a new sampling of mosquitoes has tested positive for West Nile virus — the second time in a week and the third since August such a finding has been made.

Part of the city's participation in the Williamson County and Cities Health District’s mosquito management program, the latest test was performed in a Texas Department of State Health Services lab in Austin. Like the other positive West Nile virus tests from mosquito samplings this year — including one on Sept. 11 — officials said it came from Southwest Cedar Park.

"The City and Health District strongly encourage everyone to remain vigilant about protecting themselves from mosquito bites and preventing mosquito breeding on their personal property – especially in light of the positive test sample’s proximity to outdoor activity at Elizabeth Milburn Park and several nearby neighborhoods, as well as with our recent rainfall," officials said.

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Cedar Park Mosquito Sampling Tests Positive For West Nile Virus

Cedar Park Mosquito Sample Tests Positive For West Nile Virus

On Sept. 11, city officials revealed a sample was collected in southwest Cedar Park, near the intersection of Cypress Creek Road and Sun Chase Boulevard on September 6 that tested positive for West Nile virus. That trap location had a previous positive result from a sample taken on August 2, according to city officials.

And in early August, officials said a mosquito sample had tested positive for West Nile.

City officials stress there are currently no reported human cases of West Nile Virus in Cedar Park. What's more, Williamson County has seen no reported human cases since 2016. West Nile Virus should not be confused with other mosquito-borne viruses, officials noted. For more information about West Nile Virus visit www.wcchd.org or www.txwestnile.org.

Officials said the Health District has six traps at various locations throughout Cedar Park. The species that tested positive is Culex quinquefasciatus (southern house mosquito), a species that has a flight range of about one mile.

"All positive results so far this year have come from the area of southwest Cedar Park," officials said in a press advisory. "This latest positive sample was taken on September 13, 2018, from an expanded trapping site near Cypress Creek Road and Lakeline Boulevard - following a positive test sample collected near the intersection of Cypress Creek Road and Sun Chase Boulevard on September 6, 2018. That trap had a previous positive result from a sample taken at the beginning of August."

The city continues to follow the Health District’s Best Practices for Integrated Vector Management (IVM), officials said, which calls for continued enhanced monitoring and testing and increased public outreach and education. City crews are being vigilant about draining and treating standing water on city-owned land, where possible, but need citizens’ help, they added.

Because mosquitoes breed in standing water city officials highly urged residents to drain or treat any standing water on their own property. Residents also can report standing water on public or private property by using the CP Connect 2.0 app or www.cedarparktexas.gov/reportaproblem so city crews may investigate and take appropriate action, officials added.

What you can do

Mosquitoes breed in standing or stagnant water. 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 flower pots, 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.

Officials said the city's Parks and Recreation Department uses bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) larvicide tablets on public property (such as parks) to treat any standing water that cannot be drained. Bt is a naturally-occurring bacteria that is harmless to people and most pets but it interrupts the reproduction cycle of mosquitoes. You can find Bt for home use at most “big box” hardware retailers.

In addition, the city’s Code Enforcement Division is focusing its efforts on mosquito abatement throughout the community. Residents aware of a location of stagnant water on public or private property, should report it to the city’s Code Enforcement Division via www.cedarparktexas.gov/ReportaProblem, the CPConnect 2.0 app on your mobile device or e-mail at code@cedarparktexas.gov.

For more information on mosquito safety, please visit the Williamson County and Cities Health District’s website at http://www.wcchd.org/services/disease_mgmt/fight_the_bite_-_williamson_county/index.php.

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