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CEDAR PARK, TEXAS – City officials said Tuesday that a new sampling of mosquitoes had tested positive for West Nile virus – the second time in August and the third since August.
Part of the city's involvement in the Williamson County Mosquito Management Program and Cities Health District, the latest test was conducted in a health service laboratory of the State Department of Texas in Austin. Like the other West Nile virus positive mosquito tests this year, including September 11, authorities said the virus came from Southwest Cedar Park.
"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." neighbors, as with our recent rains, "officials said.
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On September 11, city authorities revealed that a sample had been 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 location of this trap had a positive previous result from a sample taken on August 2.
And in early August, officials said a mosquito sample tested positive for West Nile.
The city authorities point out that there is currently no human case of West Nile virus in Cedar Park. In addition, Williamson County has not reported human cases since 2016. West Nile virus should not be confused with other mosquito-borne viruses, officials said. For more information on West Nile Virus, visit www.wcchd.org or www.txwestnile.org.
Officials said the health district has six traps at various locations in Cedar Park. The positive test species is Culex quinquefasciatus (southern domestic mosquito), a species whose range is about one mile.
"All the positive results so far this year come from the southwestern region of Cedar Park," officials said in a press release. "This latest positive sample was collected on September 13, 2018 from an expanded trapping site near Cypress Creek Road and Lakeline Boulevard – following a positive sample collected on September 6, 2018 near Cypress Creek Road and Sun Chase. The trap had a previous positive result from a sample taken in early August. "
The city continues to follow the health district's best practices for integrated vector management (IVM), officials said, urging continued improvement of monitoring and testing, as well as awareness and education. public. City teams are vigilant about emptying and treating stagnant water on city-owned land wherever possible, but need the help of citizens, they added.
Because mosquitoes breed in stagnant waters, municipal officials urged residents to drain or treat any stagnant water on their own property. Residents can also report stagnant water on public or private properties using the CP Connect 2.0 application or www.cedarparktexas.gov/reportaproblem so that city teams can investigate and take appropriate action, added the officials.
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.
Drain 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 repellent, and
· Dress in long sleeves and pants on the outside.
Authorities reported that the city's parks and recreation department used Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) larvicide tablets on public lands (such as parks) to treat any stagnant water that could not be drained. Bt is a naturally occurring bacterium 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. Residents warned of the presence of stagnant water on public or private properties should report it to the City Code Enforcement Division via www.cedarparktexas.gov/ReportaProblem, CPConnect application 2.0 on your mobile device or by email at the address [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.
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