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CEDAR PARK, TEXAS – Cedar Park-tested mosquito samples tested positive for West Nile virus, city officials said Tuesday.
In a notice to the press, city officials said the test was done in a laboratory at the Texas Department of Health Services in Austin. The authorities noted that the sample was collected in southwestern Cedar Park, near the intersection of Cypress Creek Road and Sun Chase Boulevard, on September 6.
According to the city authorities, the sample taken on August 2 had a previous positive result. However, for more than a month, the health district has considered this new result as a "sporadic event" that does not reflect sustained mosquito activity, according to health district officials.
The tests are part of the City of Cedar Park's proactive involvement in the Williamson County Mosquito Management Program and the Cities Health District. The city and the health district strongly encourage everyone to be vigilant against mosquito bites and to prevent mosquito breeding on their personal property, especially near outdoor activities at Elizabeth Milburn Park and several neighborhoods. . with our recent and ongoing rains, officials said.
District health officials pointed out that no human case of West Nile virus had been reported to Cedar Park. In addition, officials added that Williamson County has not reported human cases since 2016. West Nile virus should not be confused with other viruses transmitted by mosquitoes. For more information on West Nile Virus, visit www.wcchd.org or www.txwestnile.org.
The health district has six traps at different locations in Cedar Park, according to the review. The positive test species is Culex quinquefasciatus (southern domestic mosquito), a species with a range of about one mile.
The city continues to follow the Health District's best practices for Integrated Vector Management (IVM) which, at the present time, advocate for improved monitoring and testing, as well as increased awareness and education. public. City crews drain and treat stagnant water on municipally owned land where possible and are ready to take additional action if necessary.
What you can do
Mosquitoes breed in stagnant or stagnant waters. Eliminating places where mosquitoes can breed and reduce the risk of mosquito bites are the most effective defenses against exposure to West Nile virus. As part of its Anti-Bite campaign, the health district recommends the 3 Ds of mosquito safety:
- Evacuate stagnant water in flower pots, pet dishes or clogged gutters so that mosquitoes do not have the opportunity to reproduce and treat water that can not to be drained;
- Defend using an EPA approved insect repellent; and
- Dress in long sleeves and pants when you are outside.
The city's parks and recreation department uses Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) larvicide tablets on public properties (such as parks) to treat any stagnant water that can not be drained, according to the report. Bt is a naturally occurring bacteria that is harmless to humans and most pets, but interrupts the mosquito breeding cycle. You can find Bt for home use at most large equipment retailers.
In addition, the City Code Implementation Division is focusing on reducing mosquitoes throughout the community. If you are aware of stagnant water on public or private property, city officials ask you to report it to the City Code Enforcement Division via www.cedarparktexas.gov/ReportaProblem, the CPConnect 2.0 app on your mobile device or mail to [email protected].
For more information on mosquito safety, please visit the Williamson County and Cities Health District website at http://www.wcchd.org/services/disease_mgmt/fight_the_bite_-williamson_county/index. .php.
According to the KidsHealth website, symptoms of West Nile virus depend on the infected person. Children with normal immune systems generally have mild influenza-like illness. Those most at risk are those over the age of 50 or those whose immune systems are weakened by HIV / AIDS, cancer or organ transplants. The virus can not be transmitted from person to person, notes the website.
Most of the time, the symptoms of West Nile virus are similar to those of the flu and include:
- fever
- headache
- stiff neck and back
- muscle pain
- tired
- articular pain
- swollen glands
- reckless
In the rarest and most extreme cases, West Nile virus can cause a condition called encephalitis, which is an irritation and swelling of the brain.
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