Samples of Cedar Park mosquito samples tested positive for West Nile virus

CEDAR PARK, TEXAS – Another mosquito sample tested positive for West Nile virus in Cedar Park, this time in the Parmer Lane / Brushy Creek Road area, officials said Wednesday.

The good news is that a follow-up sample of mosquitoes taken from an extensive trapping site in southwestern Cedar Park, near the intersection of Lakeline Blvd. and Cypress Creek Rd., S & # 39; is revealed negative for West Nile virus. The bad news: A new sample of mosquitoes trapped in the area near Brushy Creek Road west of Parmer Lane has been tested positive for West Nile virus.

This is the latest report from Cedar Park's health officials released on Wednesday. The tests are part of the city's proactive involvement in the Williamson County Mosquito Management Program and the Health District of Cities Health, officials said.

This is the fourth time since August that a mosquito sample has been tested positive for the virus since August. Previous positive samples were:

• In the Cypress Creek / Sun Chase area, from a sample taken on Sept. 27 and that turned positive on Oct. 2 during regular testing.
• An expanded test site at Cypress Creek / Lakeline was tested for the first time on September 13th and was positive for the lab on September 18th.
• A regular test sample at the Cypress Creek / Sun Chase site, collected on Sept. 6, was revealed positively on Sept. 11.
• A sample of Cypress Creek / Sun Chase is from a regular test conducted Aug. 2 and found to be positive on August 6th.

According to a report by the city, two recent samples are negative for West Nile virus at the Cypress Creek / Lakeline test site on September 10th and 25th.

Health officials said the results were reported during a laboratory test conducted at the Texas State Department's Health Services Laboratory in Austin. Given the new positive sample, city officials reiterated the need for residents to rid themselves of stagnant water, providing an ideal breeding ground for mosquito larvae. The council has an additional urgency given the recent rains.

"The city is working diligently to drain and treat the stagnant water of this week's rains," city officials said in a press release. "Mosquitoes can not breed without stagnant water.The city thanks residents for their continued efforts in drainage and stagnant water treatment at home, however, the city and health district are urging everyone to Stay alert for mosquito bites and prevent their reproduction. " on their personal property – especially considering this week's rainfall. "

No human cases of West Nile virus infection have been reported to Cedar Park, officials said. In addition, Williamson County has seen no human cases reported since 2016, added officials. Officials noted that 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 now has four traps that it uses regularly to capture mosquitoes at specific locations in Cedar Park. The species whose test is positive is Culex quinquefasciatus (southern domestic mosquito), which has a flight range of about one mile, according to city officials.

"Whenever the result of the West Nile virus test is positive, the health district is expanding trapping to ten more places," officials said. "If the expanded trapping tests give a negative result, the trapping returns to regular and not expanded operations." While trapping returned to normal in the southwest area of ​​Cedar Park because of this latest negative tracking result, the district Brushy Creek Road and Parmer Lane are being expanded due to this new positive result in this area. "

City officials added that they were focusing on the drainage and treatment of stagnant water from city-owned land throughout the municipality, and continued to follow best management practices. Health District Vectors (IVM), which advocated improved surveillance, testing and controls. increased public awareness and education.

But the city still needs the help of citizens to fight the mosquito virus, officials said. "Because mosquitoes breed in stagnant waters, the city is urging people to continue to drain or treat stagnant water on their own property," officials said in a press release. Residents may also report stagnant water on public or private property using the CP Connect 2.0 application or www.cedarparktexas.gov/reportaproblem so that city teams can investigate and take the measures that are required.

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Mosquito sampling tests at Cedar Park are positive for West Nile virus

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Samples of Cedar Park mosquito samples tested positive for West Nile virus

Second sample of mosquitoes at Cedar Park positive for West Nile

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Cedar Park's 3rd test site is negative for West Nile

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What you can do

Mosquitoes breed in stagnant or stagnant waters. Eliminating places where mosquitoes can breed and reducing 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 advocates the 3 Ds of mosquito safety.

• Drain stagnant water in flower pots, pet plates or clogged gutters so that mosquitoes do not have a place to breed and treat water that can not be drained.
• Defend using an EPA approved insect repellent.
• Wear long-sleeved clothes and pants on the outside.

The City's Parks and Recreation Department uses Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) larvicide tablets on public lands (such as parks) to treat stagnant water that can not be drained. Bt is a naturally occurring bacterium that is safe for humans and most domestic animals, but it interrupts the mosquito breeding cycle. You can find Bt for home use at most "big box" hardware retailers.

In addition, the City Code Enforcement Division is focusing its efforts on reducing mosquitoes throughout the community. Residents who experience a stagnant water point on a public or private property are asked to report it to the City Code Enforcement Division via www.cedarparktexas.gov/ReportaProblem, l & # 39; CPConnect 2.0 application on your mobile device or by email at the address code @ cedarparktexas .gov.

For more information on mosquito safety, visit the Williamson County website and the Health District of Cities Health by clicking here.

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