TWO POSITIVE WEST NILE VIRUS MOSQUITO TRAP SAMPLES REPORTED

TWO POSITIVE WEST NILE VIRUS MOSQUITO TRAP SAMPLES REPORTED
Ground Spraying Planned for City of Taylor

 July 1, 2021 – Two separate mosquito trap samples collected in the cities of Granger and Taylor have tested positive for West Nile Virus. This testing is part of Williamson County and Cities Health District’s (WCCHD) Integrated Vector Management program which through surveillance, control, prevention, and education, aims to prevent human infection of mosquito-borne diseases. The positive tests were indicated in lab results received on June 30 from the Texas Department of State Health Services lab in Austin. These are the second and third reported West Nile virus positive traps of the 2021 season.

The Granger positive sample was taken from a trap site near N. Colorado St. The last date a positive sample was collected at this location was June 2, 2021. The Taylor positive sample was taken from a trap site near Murphy Park on Veteran's Dr. This is the first occurrence of a positive sample at this location.

Considering the upcoming holiday weekend and planned increased outdoor activities, especially at dusk when the Culex mosquito is most active, the City of Taylor has coordinated for truck-mounted spraying. Both cities will implement enhanced monitoring and testing and increased public outreach and education.

The insecticide spraying in Taylor will occur in a 1-mile vicinity of the positive sample for the next two nights, July 2 and 3. The chemical used is a pyrethrin-based insecticide along the street right-of-way and in public parks, weather permitting. Pyrethrin is a chemical that can be found in chrysanthemums.

A map is included showing the area where treatments are planned. The use of the insecticide will reduce the adult mosquito population in that area. Spraying will be done if weather conditions are appropriate. Although the mosquito control product poses no significant health risk, if possible, people and pets may want to stay indoors during spraying.

Symptoms of infection may include fever, headache, and body aches, a skin rash on the trunk of the body, and swollen lymph nodes. Those age 50 and older and/or with compromised immune systems are at a higher risk for severe symptoms, which may include stiffness, disorientation, coma, tremors, vision loss, paralysis, and in rare cases, death.

What you can do:

Eliminating places where mosquitoes can breed and reducing the chances of mosquito bites are the most effective lines of defense against exposure to West Nile Virus. As part of its Fight the Bite campaign the Health District recommends the 3 Ds of mosquito safety:

  • Drain standing water in flowerpots, pet dishes, or clogged gutters so mosquitoes don’t have a place to breed and treat water that can’t be drained,
  • Defend by using an EPA-registered insect repellent, and
  • Dress in long sleeves and pants when outdoors, especially at dawn and dusk.

For more information, go to the WCCHD website at www.wcchd.org or visit the Texas Department of State Health Services West Nile website at txwestnile.org.

Test buffer Taylor
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