[ad_1]
CEDAR PARK, TEXAS – Mosquito sampling at an expanded trapping site at Cedar Park has been deemed negative for West Nile virus, city officials said.
The tests are part of the city's proactive involvement in the Williamson County Mosquito Management Program and the Cities Health District. This negative test was reported in a laboratory result from the Texas State Department's Department of Health Services Laboratory in Austin, officials said.
City teams have been busy draining and treating stagnant water to prevent mosquito breeding. But they also pushed locals to listen to their advice to eliminate their properties of stagnant water, an action to which they attributed the most recent negative test.
"The city and the health district are encouraging everyone to remain vigilant against mosquito bites and prevent mosquito breeding on their personal property, especially given the forecast of rainfall this week."
Related story: 2nd mosquito sample in Cedar Park Positive results for West Nile
No human cases of West Nile virus have been reported in Cedar Park. Williamson County has not reported any human cases since 2016. West Nile virus should not be confused with other mosquito-borne viruses. For more information on West Nile Virus, visit www.wcchd.org or www.txwestnile.org.
Earlier this month, two mosquito samples tested positive for the virus. The two positive tests took place one week after the other and marked for the third time since August the completion of a positive sampling of West Nile virus.
In total, the health district has six traps at different locations in Cedar Park. The species tested previously is Culex quinquefasciatus (southern mosquito), which has a range of about one mile. All of the positive results so far this year come from the southwest region of Cedar Park, officials said.
This last negative result was obtained on September 18 at an expanded trapping site near Cypress Creek Road and Lakeline Boulevard, where a previous positive sample was collected on September 13th. These traps were installed after collecting a positive sample near the intersection of Cypress Creek Road and Sun Chase Boulevard on September 6th. This trap had already given a positive result to a sample taken in early August.
"The city continues to follow the health district's best practices for Integrated Vector Management (IVM), which require enhanced surveillance and testing and increased public awareness and education," officials said. "The city's teams remain vigilant about the emptying and treatment of stagnant water on municipal land, but need the continued help of citizens.Because mosquitoes breed in stagnant water, the city requires the inhabitants to continue. "
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.
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.
Park and recreation officials in the city use Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) larvicide tablets on public properties (such as parks) to treat any stagnant water that can 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 hardware retailers, added the makers.
In addition, the City Code Implementation Division is focusing on reducing mosquitoes throughout the community. Anyone aware of a stagnant water location on a public or private property is requested to report it to the City Code Enforcement Division via www.cedarparktexas.gov/ReportaProblem, the CPConnect 2.0 application on your mobile device or by email at code @ cedarparktexas. .gov.
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.
Get Parch's daily newsletters and real-time alerts
>>> Image via Shutterstock
Receive the Cedar Park-Leander newsletter
[ad_2]
Source link
