AUSTIN, Texas — The summer is a great time to get out and enjoy the outdoors, but it is also a time when Central Texas sees an increase in mosquitoes. This summer, local health districts have reported mosquitoes have tested positive for the West Nile virus.
Brushy Creek MUD area
On July 12, the Williamson County and Cities Health District's (WCCHD) Integrated Vector Management program reported a mosquito trap sample tested positive for West Nile virus in the Brushy Creek MUD area. The sample was collected near the Beck Preserve on Great Oaks Drive on July 7. Health officials put down more traps in the area.
On July 18, a second trap in the area tested positive for West Nile. The sample was collected from a trap site, near Cat Hollow Park at Liberty Walk Drive and O'Connor Drive, on July 13. It was the sixth reported West Nile virus-positive trap of the 2023 season in Williamson County. It was also the fifth week in a row a positive trap was reported in Williamson County.
On Tuesday, July 25, the eighth reported West Nile-positive trap of the 2023 season was reported in Williamson County from a sample collected in the Brushy Creek MUD area. The sample was taken from a trap site near Cat Hollow Park on Thursday, July 20. It was the third week in a row a trap tested positive in this area. Treatment of the water with larvicide and expanded trapping will continue in the area and signage has been posted.
East Austin
On June 28, Austin Public Health (APH) reported a positive test for West Nile virus from a mosquito pool in the 78721 postal code of East Austin.
Williamson County
On Aug. 15, the Williamson County and Cities Health District (WCCHD) reported the first human case of West Nile virus so far this year.
The WCCHD said the patient is a female resident of northern Williamson County and was diagnosed with West Nile neuroinvasive disease.
Jarrell
On July 21, a mosquito trap sample collected in the Sonterra Community returned a positive test for West Nile virus.
On June 23, the WCCHD reported a second sample collected in the Sonterra community of Jarrell tested positive for West Nile virus. This is the second time a trap in the same location came back positive for the virus a 10-day period.
On May 26, WCCHD found a positive sample of the West Nile virus in Jarrell. It was collected near a community pool in the Sonterra neighborhood.
Georgetown
On May 25, WCCHD reported a trap found close to Geneva Park near 1021 Quail Valley Drive tested positive for the West Nile virus. This sample is the earliest that West Nile has been detected since sampling began in 2013 by Williamson County.
On Monday, Aug. 14, the City of Georgetown said a sample that was taken on Aug. 8 from the Yellow Rose Trail in Sun City tested positive for West Nile. The city will be conducting truck-mounted spraying on the evenings of Aug. 14 and Aug. 15 in the area.
A sample that was collected on Sept. 27 from a trap site on the Yellow Rose Trail in Sun City tested positive for West Nile virus, the City of Georgetown said on Tuesday, Oct. 3. Truck-mounted spraying will be conducted in the area on the evenings of Oct. 8 and Oct. 9, the city said. Standing water will continue to be treated with larvicide.
Granger
On July 27, A sample of mosquitoes collected in Granger tested positive for West Nile virus. The sample was collected from a trap site near Colorado Street on July 25.
The City of Granger has since organized truck-mounted spraying to occur on the evenings of Aug. 6 and Aug. 7, weather permitting, in the area based on a positive West Nile virus mosquito sample that was collected from a trap site near Colorado Street. Although the mosquito control product poses no significant health risk, if possible, people and pets should stay indoors during spraying.
Symptoms of West Nile virus
Symptoms to be aware of include:
- fever
- headache
- body aches
- skin rash
- swollen lymph nodes
People who are 50 and older and/or immune-compromised are at risk for severe symptoms, which include stiffness, disorientation, coma, tremors, vision loss, paralysis and in rare cases death.
Preventing West Nile virus
There are ways to prevent mosquitos from breeding and reducing the chances of being bit.
Officials say there are three Ds of mosquito safety:
- Drain any standing water in flowerpots, pet dishes or clogged gutters so mosquitos don't have a place to breed
- Defend by using an EPS-registered insect repellent
- Dress in pants and long sleeves when outdoors
In Central Texas, mosquitos are present year-round with the most active months being May through November. During those months, WCCHD will monitor and test mosquitos for viruses.