3rd Cedar Park Testing Site Negative For West Nile

CEDAR PARK, TEXAS — A follow-up sampling of mosquitoes taken at an expanded trapping site in Cedar Park has tested negative for West Nile virus, city officials said.

The testing is part of the city's proactive participation in the Williamson County and Cities Health District’s mosquito management program. This negative test was indicated in a lab result from the Texas Department of State Health Services lab in Austin, officials said.

City crews have been busy draining and treating standing water to help prevent mosquito breeding. But they also gave residents a shout-out for having heeded their advice to rid their properties of standing water, an action to which they attributed the most recent negative test.

"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 considering forecast rainfall this week," officials said in a press advisory.

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

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

Earlier this month, two samplings of mosquitoes tested positive for the virus. The two positive tests came withing a week of the other and marked the third time since August for a positive West Nile virus sampling to emerge.

All told, the health district has six traps at various locations throughout Cedar Park. The species that previously tested positive is Culex quinquefasciatus (southern house mosquito), which 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 noted.

This latest negative result was taken on Sept. 18, from an expanded trapping site near Cypress Creek Road and Lakeline Boulevard where a previous positive sample was taken on Sept. 13. These expanded traps were set up after a positive test sample was collected near the intersection of Cypress Creek Road and Sun Chase Boulevard on Sept. 6. That trap had a previous positive result from a sample taken at the beginning of August as well.

"The city is continues to follow the Health District’s Best Practices for Integrated Vector Management (IVM) which call for continued enhanced monitoring and testing and increased public outreach and education," officials said. "City crews remain vigilant about draining and treating standing water on city-owned land, where possible, but need citizens’ continued help. Because mosquitoes breed in standing water the city is imploring residents to continue draining or treating 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 that city crews may investigate and take appropriate action.

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.

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, officials noted. 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, officials added.

In addition, the city’s Code Enforcement Division is focusing its efforts on mosquito abatement throughout the community. Anyone aware of a location of stagnant water on public or private property, is asked to 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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