Williamson County is initiating mosquito control measures in Georgetown following the positive testing of a mosquito sample for West Nile virus. As per CBS Austin, if weather conditions allow, truck-mounted spraying is scheduled for Sept. 6 and 7 after 9 p.m. around Geneva Park in southeast Georgetown. The decision comes after a sample collected on August 30 from a trap in Georgetown tested positive for the virus.
This recent finding marks the second instance of a positive test from the same trap location, indicating a potential increase in West Nile virus activity within the area. Truck-mounted spraying is part of the city’s strategy adhering to the Georgetown Health District's recommendations for Integrated Mosquito Management, which also includes heightened monitoring and public education on the matter. The use of this insecticide intends to significantly reduce the adult mosquito population and consequently, the risk of virus transmission, the city said.
In response to these developments, the Williamson County and Cities Health District encourages the community to employ the "four Ds" as preventive measures: draining standing water, being vigilant from dusk to dawn, dressing appropriately, and using DEET-containing repellents for personal protection. These guidelines aim to curb mosquito breeding and limit contact with the primary vectors of West Nile virus, the Culex mosquitoes most active between dusk and dawn. As cautioned on the KXAN website, individuals should remain aware of West Nile virus symptoms, which include headache, body aches, joint pains, vomiting, diarrhea, and rash. Moreover, they warn that severe illness affecting the central nervous system can develop in rare instances, particularly in older individuals and those with certain medical conditions.
Since the commencement of this year's testing in May, Williamson County has found 48 positive mosquito trap samples with West Nile virus and has reported one human case. Residents can keep informed about the latest findings and spraying activities by accessing the WCCHD mosquito surveillance dashboard online, which provides up-to-date information on the spread and control of the virus. Additional resources for tracking West Nile virus cases nationwide are available through the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) website, which also features details specific to Texas.
