Cedar Park Mosquito Sample Tests Positive For West Nile Virus

CEDAR PARK, TEXAS — A mosquito sampling collected from a trap location in Cedar Park tested positive for West Nile virus, city officials said Tuesday.

In a press advisory, city officials said the test was indicated in a lab result from the Texas Department of State Health Services in Austin. The sample was collected in southwest Cedar Park, near the intersection of Cypress Creek Road and Sun Chase Boulevard on September 6, officials noted.

This trap location had a previous positive result from a sample taken on August 2, according to city officials. However since it was over a month ago the Health District considers this new result a "sporadic event" not reflective of sustained mosquito activity, according to health district officials.

The testing is part of the City of Cedar Park’s proactive participation in the Williamson County and Cities Health District’s mosquito management program. 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 and ongoing rainfall, officials said.

Health district officials stressed there are currently no reported human cases of West Nile Virus in Cedar Park. What's more, officials added, 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.

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

The city is continuing to follow the Health District’s Best Practices for Integrated Vector Management (IVM) which, at this time, call for enhanced monitoring and testing, along with increased public outreach and education, the advisory indicated. City crews are draining and treating standing water on municipally owned land, where possible, and is prepared to take additional action if necessary.

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, according to the advisory. 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. If you are aware of a location of stagnant water on public or private property, city officials ask that you please 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.

According to the website KidsHealth, symptoms of West Nile virus depend on the person who becomes infected. Children with normal immune systems usually experience mild "flu-like" illness . Most at risk are those over the age of 50 or with people with weakened immune systems due to HIV/AIDS, cancer, or organ transplants. The virus cannot be spread person to person, the website notes.

Most of the time, symptoms of West Nile virus are similar to the flu and include:

• fever
• headache
• neck and back stiffness
• muscle ache
• tiredness
• joint pain
• swollen glands
• rash

In the most rare and extreme cases, West Nile virus can cause a condition called encephalitis, which is irritation and swelling of the brain.

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