Mosquitoes Test Positive For West Nile Virus In WilCo Park

Tony Cantu
·2 min read

WILLIAMSON COUNTY, TX — A sample of mosquitoes collected from a trap near the Southwest Williamson County Regional Park has tested positive for West Nile Virus, county officials confirmed Friday.

The testing at the park in an area of FM 1431 and CR 175 is part of the Williamson County and Cities Health District mosquito management program. The sample was collected on Thursday, with the positive result coming from the Texas Department of State Health Services lab in Austin before being reported to Williamson County officials on Friday, officials said in an emailed advisory.

The species that tested positive for West Nile Virus is Culex quinquefasciatus (southern house mosquito), which has a flight range of about one mile.

Health officials said parks staff will continue mosquito control efforts with the treatment of standing water with larvacide, and the health district continue enhanced monitoring and testing, along with increased public outreach and education.

Due to the proximity to outdoor activities at Southwest Williamson County Regional Park and in several nearby neighborhoods, health district officials urge residents to be especially vigilant about protecting themselves from mosquito bites when outdoors and preventing mosquito breeding on their personal property.

Officials assured there have been no reported human cases of West Nile Virus in Williamson County since 2017. West Nile Virus should not be confused with other mosquito-borne viruses, health officials added. They also noted that no evidence exists of mosquitoes transmitting COVID-

What you can do

As part of its "Fight the Bite" campaign, the Health District recommends the following mosquito safety precautions:

  • Defend by using an EPA-approved insect repellent.

  • Dress in long sleeves and pants when outdoors, especially at dusk and dawn.

  • Drain standing water in flower pots, pet dishes or clogged gutters so mosquitoes don’t have a place to breed and treat water that can’t be drained.

For more information, visit the health district website at www.wcchd.org or visit the Texas Department of State Health Services West Nile website at www.txwestnile.org. Those with questions are invited to email wcchd-info@wilco.org.

This article originally appeared on the Austin Patch